Brooks Riley
Global Brand Leader | Partnerships | Sports, Lifestyle, and Outdoors · The Critical Slide Society
Encinitas, CA
In My Own Words
Brand builder. A dynamic leader with a unique blend of marketing strategy, sales expertise, and creative vision. Known for building brands, driving growth, and delivering compelling customer experiences across the sports, fashion, outdoor, and lifestyle industries. Proven success in driving multi-million dollar revenue growth, introducing brands to new markets, building athlete and ambassador programs, and collaborating with key partners. Let's build.
Work Experience
Brand Director, NAM
The Critical Slide Society2022 – 2025
• Spearheaded North & South American market expansion, adding 175+ new retail accounts and driving multi-million-dollar revenue growth. • Directed athlete and ambassador programs, signing athletes in target regions, embedding athlete storytelling into campaigns and product launches to strengthen authenticity and deepen consumer connection. • Secured and managed high-profile retail and brand partnerships (Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Tillys, Birdwell, Thalia Surf Shop), aligning collaborations with cultural relevance in surf and lifestyle markets. • Applied athlete, consumer, and market insights to refine the product line, optimize assortment planning, and enhance profitability in key styles. • Opened the brand’s first international office in San Diego; recruited and led a team of outdoor industry sales veterans across key territories to consistently hit sales goals. • Oversaw marketing budget allocation across trade shows, sponsorships, and content campaigns, optimizing ROI while collaborating closely with creative teams.
Sr. Sports Marketing & Sales Manager
Aztech Mountain2019 – 2022
• Built and managed the Aztech Ambassador Program, scouting and signing elite mountain and outdoor athletes (IOC, U.S. Ski Team, FIS, XGames) to drive global visibility and strengthen brand authenticity in the performance wear space. • Directed creative marketing campaigns and content production, leading photoshoots, styling, and storytelling that highlighted athlete performance and connected with premium outdoor/luxury consumers, driving a 3X increase in social following. • Partnered cross-functionally with design and product teams, leveraging athlete feedback and market insights to influence product innovation and seasonal line development. • Drove international market growth in Europe, Asia, and Canada, securing top-tier retail partnerships (SSENSE, KOIBIRD, RAD STORE) in the U.S. and abroad. • Represented the brand at global ski events and trade shows (ISPO, SIA, World Cup races), activating athlete appearances and brand experiences that deepened relationships with consumers and retailers.
Network Manager & Brand Partnerships
Inkwell Media2017 – 2019
• Managed the Inkwell Creator Network, serving as the primary point of contact for 250+ high-profile athletes, creators, and ambassadors across sport, wellness, and outdoor verticals. • Executed key, social-first campaigns with Toyota, YETI, Molson Coors, and Red Bull, connecting global brands with targeted audiences through athlete-led content, activations, and events. • Cultivated long-term partnerships with athletes, creators, and agents to ensure authentic brand alignment and impactful representation for clients. • Applied data and performance insights to measure campaign ROI, refine athlete partnerships, and guide brand strategy for future activations and campaigns.
Sports Marketing Associate
POC2014 – 2016
POC is a Swedish company with a strong mission to do the best we can to possibly save lives and to reduce the consequences of accidents for gravity sports athletes and cyclists.
Education
Major: Strategic Communication and Brand Strategy
University of Colorado BoulderHigh School
Gould AcademyGould Academy is a private, co-ed, college preparatory boarding and day school founded in 1835 and located in the small town of Bethel, Maine, United States.
Skills
Industries
Activity
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