VF’s “EXPLORER” AMBASSADORS: VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH KARL HEINZ SALZBURGER AND SIMONE MORO

Published by Mountainblog on 10/13/2014.

Last 24 September Paralympic skier Murat Pelit was presented to the press as the new entry in the sports team of VF Corporation, one of the world leaders in lifestyle and outdoor apparel, owner of over 30 brands, including The North Face.

Karl Heinz Salzburger, Group President International, also attended the press conference and we talked to him about the role of ambassadors in VF Corporation’s communications (it’s the first time a paralymic athlete has been a VF ambassador), as well as certain aspects of the group’s brand strategy on the Outdoor market.

Murat Pelit was introduced by climber Simone Moro, in his role as “senior” VF althlete and ambassador for The North Face: Simone is considered a team captain for VF athletes in Europe, and he describes Murat as “an explorer”, not in the sense of someone discovering new lands, but as a man who has to break barriers – in this case his disability – and in doing so learns to know and explore himself.

Text and interview: Andrea Bianchi

Video shooting and editing: Matteo Menapace.

One day on a San Francisco beach, two men with a passion for hiking and the outdoors had a big idea. Who would have thought their dream would be realised; over the next 40 years, The North Face® would become the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technologically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear. The North Face® takes its name from the harshest, coldest side of a mountain. It was the sheer northwest face of Half Dome in Yosemite National park that provided the inspiration for The North Face® logo, paying tribute to the company’s climbing heritage and outdoor roots and quest to Never Stop Exploring™. Athlete Tested, Expedition Proven, The North Face® product represents the best in class, in terms of product design and athletic achievement. Tested in some of the toughest conditions on the planet by a world-renowned team of athletes, including legendary 8000m+ alpinists Denis Urubko & Simone Moro; mountain climbers Herve Barmasse and the Pou Brothers; free skiers and big mountain snowboarders such as Xavier De Le Rue; and ultra-runners Lizzy Hawker, Jez Bragg and Sebastian Chaigneau. About The North Face® The North Face®, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snow-sport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snow-sport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains. Additional information about The North Face® can be found on the company’s website,eu.thenorthface.com