Wolverine Worldwide Names Gene McCarthy President Of Merrell Brand

ROCKFORD, Mich., Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolverine Worldwide (NYSE: WWW) today announced the appointment of Gene McCarthy as President of the Merrell brand, effective August 26.  Mr. McCarthy is a recognized leader in the footwear and apparel industry and has more than 30 years of experience driving brands to accelerated growth around the world. 

"Gene McCarthy is a visionary leader with a passion for brands and consumers," said Blake W. Krueger, Chairman, CEO, and President of Wolverine Worldwide.  "Merrell has been and continues to be a leader in the outdoor space and a jewel within the Wolverine portfolio – I am thrilled to have Gene join the Merrell team as it continues its drive to be the first billion-dollar-brand in our Company's history."

"Gene's global experience and successful track record in the athletic and outdoor markets make him an excellent fit for the Merrell brand," said Jim Zwiers, President of the Performance Group. "We are excited to welcome Gene to the team, and believe he is uniquely qualified to lead the Merrell brand in its vision to be the world's favorite outdoor brand, delivering growth through innovative products and a fanatical connection to the consumer."

"It's an honor to join this industry-leading performance brand," said McCarthy.  "I have long admired Merrell's strong growth and broad global appeal. I am excited to join this talented team to pursue the significant opportunities that lie ahead as we capitalize on the brand's compelling point of view and remarkable products."

Mr. McCarthy joins Merrell with significant brand, strategy, product, marketing and operations experience in the industry, including leadership roles as SVP of Footwear for Under Armour, Co-President for Timberland, SVP of Global Footwear for Reebok, and a variety of leadership roles in his many years with Nike.  Mr. McCarthy holds a BS in Marketing from Fordham University.

With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one of the world's leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel.  The Company's portfolio of highly recognized brands includes: Merrell®, Sperry Top-Sider®, Hush Puppies®, Saucony®, Wolverine®, Keds®, Stride Rite®, Sebago®, Cushe®, Chaco®, Bates®, HYTEST®, and Soft Style®.  The Company also is the global footwear licensee of popular brands including Cat®, Harley-Davidson® and Patagonia®. The Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in approximately 200 countries and territories. For additional information, please visit our website, www.wolverineworldwide.com.

SOURCE Wolverine Worldwide