100 Million Views Later, Purple Brings on New CEO

This announcement comes after Purple experienced rapid growth its first year. In eight months the company grew from 38 to more than 340 employees and has added a 574,000 square-foot manufacturing building. This growth was jumpstarted by the popular "Goldilocks" video that went viral after its January release. Purple's videos have had more than 100 million views through Facebook and Youtube combined.

"This is the perfect time for Sam Bernards to become Purple's next CEO. We've selected an experienced leader at a time when Purple is poised for growth," said Purple co-founder Tony Pearce. "I am convinced there is no better leader for Purple today."

The Purple® Bed began last year when it funded $171,000 on Kickstarter. In less than a year, Purple has received more than 2,500 online reviews and is now a leader in the competitive E-Commerce mattress space.

Since the Kickstarter launch, sales have skyrocketed, according to Pearce. "What we accomplished on Kickstarter in 45 days has sometimes been surpassed in less than a day in sales," Pearce said.

Now, Pearce says it's time to bring on a new CEO to help Purple reach its full potential in a competitive and constantly changing industry.

"Today's pace of change is exponential," Pearce said. "Sam has deep experience in the retail and supply chain sector and will move the company forward with the speed required to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us."

After having started multiple companies, Bernards joined Walmart in 2006 and moved quickly through the company's ranks, driving forward a $2 billion program to optimize its global supply chain, a $7 billion program for strategic supplier management, and an $80 billion growth strategy for Walmart US, which resulted in the launch of Walmart Express and other innovations.

"I joined Purple because I wanted to be a part of a company that has the ability to solve the very real pain of uncomfortable sleep for millions—and soon billions—of people," said Bernards. "Deep, healing sleep is fundamental for health, growth and happiness, and Purple has a uniquely powerful solution to change sleep from what once was difficult to delightful."

Purple has a mission to help those in pain by using science to develop products to help people be more comfortable whether they are sitting, standing or sleeping.

"The co-founders have created a suite of soon-to-be-released products that will impact how people stand and sit. This is meaningful to me, and I am convinced of Purple's ability to achieve its global potential," Bernards said.

Looking forward, Bernards has several goals for the company.

"I am focused on accelerating the innovation and execution that our customers need from us. Their happiness will continue to drive us. At a time when the bed industry is just beginning to experience a renaissance, I am thrilled to be a part of Purple's role in transforming the quality and comfort of people's lives."

The Pearces have been observing and vetting Bernards for 16 years. Confident in Bernards' ability to lead the company into its next phase, the Pearces will be able to focus on the research and development of new products.

"Sam is clearly the leader for Purple's future," Pearce said. "With Sam Bernards taking the role of CEO, the board is very confident Purple has the leadership to drive its success for the next chapter."

About Purple

After 20 years of creating and licensing comfort products, Tony and Terry Pearce launched Purple in January 2016. The founders have been granted 34 patents in the advanced cushioning arena. Sixteen patents and pending patents were used in creating the World's First No Pressure™ Mattress and future products. Purple has quickly become a leader in sleep and comfort technology. Its products change lives through dramatic improvements to the quality of sleeping, sitting and standing.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BvwpjaGZCQ

SOURCE Purple, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.onpurple.com