Bridgestone Golf Names New President & CEO

[Golfspy_CG2]

As many of us know Bridgestone Golf has had an interesting last 24 months, they have practically disappeared from the equipment side of things, signed Tiger Woods as it's marquee ball endorser.   They have been all over with ball sales and promotions, and have left many to wonder exactly how well if at all they are doing financially.  Then there was the curious Premium Box Set offering announced a couple months ago.

 

Well all of the above possibly or possibly not let to the dismissal of the  CEO Angel IIagan in late May.

 

Bridgestone is bringing back the very highly respected Dan Murphy as the CEO and President. Read more about him and his background in the press release.  I think this is a great move and can't wait to see what it means for the brand. 

 

I'm sure our very own John Barba and or Tony Covey will have a great blog piece about what this means in the short and long term. 

 

 

Bridgestone Golf Names Dan Murphy President and CEO

JUNE 18, 2018

 

 

 

(COVINGTON, GA) â€“ Bridgestone Golf â€“ innovator and manufacturer of premium golf balls, clubs and accessories – has appointed Dan Murphy as President and CEO.

Murphy was with Bridgestone Golf USA from 2004 to 2015, most recently as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  During that tenure, he helped the brand increase market share to No. 2 in the ball category, grew domestic revenue by roughly 250% and negotiated title rights to the PGA Tour's annual World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club (Ohio).

As President and CEO, he is responsible for directing the company's core business functions, including product planning and production, marketing, sales and customer relations.

“I've been with Bridgestone Golf since the beginning and the passion runs deep,” says Murphy.  “We make the most technologically-advanced golf balls in the world and my role is to help ensure Bridgestone is recognized as the industry's leading example of how science and data is used to make products that improve the performance of all golfers.”

Committed to remaining on the forefront of innovation, Bridgestone draws from nearly 1,000 golf ball patents and the leading rubber experts in the world to design the industry's best golf balls.  A major differentiator over all other brands, it leverages the invaluable knowledge of 900-plus polymer engineers in the R&D process.  This engineering and manufacturing expertise is combined with real-world data collected from three million golf ball fittings over the past decade.  The result is a line-up of models perfectly customized for any player type, from PGA TOUR superstar to beginner.    

Under Murphy, Bridgestone will continue to be the industry's leading voice on the importance of fitting and customization in the golf ball selection process.  The company currently offers two easy and comprehensive fitting options, the BFIT Golf Ball Fitting App and a new online fitting tool.  Its diverse ball portfolio includes the TOUR B Series, e6 SOFT, e6 SPEED, Extra Soft, Lady and more. 

“Dan's leadership skills, product knowledge, industry connections and assemblage of talent are exemplary,” says Shigeru Nakayama, Senior Officer for Bridgestone Sports and Chairman of Bridgestone Golf.  â€œHe's unafraid to push the envelope to find ways to make golfers better and, therefore, lifetime Bridgestone loyalists.”

Murphy is enthused by a recent NGF report showing growth of America's $89.1 billion annual golf economy.  Citing the 20 million committed golfers who play 95% of all rounds, he points to Bridgestone's influence making low handicappers even more competitive.  Furthermore, Murphy is keen on Bridgestone's ball and club technology turning the sport's 2.6 million newcomers into lifetime golfers.

Since 2015, Murphy was President of textile manufacturer Kentwool and Vice President of American Achievement Corporation.  Before joining Bridgestone Golf almost 15 years ago, he held key marketing and business development positions at TaylorMade, Dunlop Slazenger, Maxfli and General Mills.

The appointment of Murphy comes at an ideal time for Bridgestone Golf.  Rising star Bryson DeChambeau used the Tour B X ball to win the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament two weeks ago and catapult to fourth on the official money list.  Additionally, the company's recent introduction of the TOUR B XS Tiger Woods Edition and the e6 SOFT Lady Edition (pearl white finish and pink Bridgestone logo) have proven widely popular. 

Beyond golf balls, Murphy is committed to growing Bridgestone's share of the golf club market. The same industry leading fitting data that informs R&D for the company's renowned golf balls is being applied to the creation of revolutionary club designs. Currently, Bridgestone offers a variety of options via its JGR and TOUR B Series clubs, and will unveil new lines in the coming months.  

About Bridgestone Golf

Bridgestone Golf USA is based in Covington, GA and manufactures premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under Bridgestone and Precept brands.  The company started making golf balls in 1935 and, as the world's largest tire manufacturer, leverages its 900-plus rubber polymer science engineers worldwide to produce high-performing products.  Customer swing and related data, captured through its popular, nationwide ball-fitting program, advises continuous advancement of ball technology.  Trusted by amateur golfers and professionals like Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedecker, Bryson DeChambeau and Lexi Thompson, Bridgestone equipment helps improve shots and scores.  Bridgestone Golf USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo.

[russtopherb]

Good move. BStone had a lot of curious decisions over the past few years, many times contradicting each other. It seems to me that when they relied on a huge amount of ball fitting data to help recommend balls for golfers and they had a consistent message, they were much more visible (and profitable).

 

Also, bring back a single e6!!

 

 

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[JTexGolfer]

I hope this move works out for Bridgestone. It would be good to see them as a more viable player in the equipment side of things as well.

[jayjay0808]

Probably the smartest thing they could do to help stabilize the company. Or give the impression that it is or will be.

[Miboy62]

The last couple years, B-Stone made some moves that were odd.

Hope Mr Murphy can turn them back around.

[PMookie]

Will it REALLY matter??? I'm not sure it will.

 

 

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[null]

Will it REALLY matter??? I'm not sure it will.

 

 

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Agreed. I think the damage is already done.

 

Heck I could see Bridgestone getting out of the north American club market entirely and just focusing on balls.

[Shankster]

Go back a few generations on their irons and remake those... whatever they did with the stop signs on the back of them... who signed off on that?

 

Trying to reinvent the wheel never works. I've never played Bridgestone clubs, but the ones that Snedeker and Kuchar play seem to be a fan favorite.

[MattM11]

I would hate to see Bridgestone fall out of the equipment market. I absolutely love the J40 irons from back and the day and hope that they will be looking to release some new irons quickly.

 

 

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