Lippert Components, Inc. (LCI) recently announced the addition of Joe Thompson in the new role as chief marketing officer (CMO). Thompson comes to LCI from the December 2019 acquisition of the CURT Group, serving as CMO for the previous five years. With this announcement, Thompson will immediately structure a new global marketing organization servicing all of LCI’s current and future brands.
Thompson brings more than 32 years of experience in consumer product sales and marketing leadership to LCI. He has served as the VP of marketing at a number of companies including Lund International, Formica Corporation and Armstrong World Industries. His passion has always been taking new and innovative products to market, launching countless products over the years by creating awareness and recognition through competitive market research, analysis and strategic planning. He will report to both Jamie Schnur, group president – aftermarket, and Rock Lambert, CURT group president.
In his role as CMO, Thompson’s primary responsibility will be to create a world class marketing organization that will drive the global marketing strategy and efforts for all LCI brands. “I’m very excited about this new opportunity to create an organizational structure that delivers a unified customer experience, brand purpose, stimulating communication, marketing technology and innovative product leadership,” he stated.
Both LCI and the CURT Group have made significant investments in their marketing organizations over the last five years, both in highly trained professionals and cutting-edge marketing technology. Thompson and Jarod Lippert, LCI’s VP of marketing, will work together to create a unified organizational structure that will promote new products and services, grow digital presence, develop customer loyalty, engage audiences, and increase sales with new and existing customers across all of LCI’s growing brand portfolio.
“Joe has been instrumental in launching a series of new products as CURT has invested aggressively in an innovation initiative in recent years that has led to multiple industry awards,” said Rock Lambert, CURT group president. “This will allow us to leverage the strength of leading brands in our combined portfolio, keeping our company as a first choice when it comes to the markets we serve.”
LCI has emphasized consumer-targeted marketing as it has grown more into the aftermarkets that it serves. LCI feels that now, more than ever, being on the cutting edge of marketing strategy and technology will help lead the organization into the next phase of growth.
