SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Global youngsters’s occasion and life-style model Meri Meri (www.merimeri.com) has appointed Kelly Lees to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) efficient at present. Since becoming a member of the enterprise over a 12 months in the past as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Lees has grown the direct-to-consumer enterprise greater than 140% whereas persevering with to strengthen the model’s wholesale distribution throughout 69 international locations in over 5,000 retailers. Based in London, Lees will likely be liable for overseeing the U.S. and UK markets, reporting to Meri Meri Founder and President, Meredithe Stuart-Smith.
Bringing over 20 years of expertise to the function, Lees is a talented omni-channel strategist and digital advertising chief who has held earlier govt positions at Dr Martens, Tech Will Save Us and Jack Wills. She has a powerful observe report in increasing wholesale manufacturers to digital channels and rising direct-to-consumer (D2C) enterprise operations on a worldwide scale.
Lees says: “My first priorities are to make sure that our on-line expertise continues to drive excessive repeat buy and engagement, and that our wholesale prospects are totally stocked for peak season. Online gross sales of celebration merchandise are already up 150% year-over-year and our new reuseable bamboo vary and totally compostable eco occasion ranges are setting the pattern in sustainable partyware. Customers had been drawn to our merchandise throughout Covid as a way to carry some enjoyable into their houses, so as we enter the subsequent “roaring 20’s”, the alternatives to scale the Meri Meri model are past thrilling.”
Meri Meri founder Meredithe Stuart-Smith continues in her function as President and Creative Director, main the product design and manufacturing workforce from Cheltenham, UK. “In the ever-changing world of retail we’re happy to have somebody with Kelly’s digital and advertising background to assist take the enterprise into a brand new, extra related, course. I look ahead to working with Kelly to construct the model and make sure that we preserve the core DNA of Meri Meri,” commented Stuart-Smith, who began the multi-million greenback enterprise over 30 years in the past from her kitchen in San Francisco.
About Meri Meri
Meri Meri designs all the pieces enjoyable for all times’s celebrations – partyware, seasonal decorations, heirloom-quality youngsters’s items and dreamy dress-up for particular events. Inspired by childhood creativeness, and grounded in subtle design, its workforce primarily based in Cheltenham, UK, creates irresistible, trendsetting merchandise. Founded 30 years in the past by Meredithe Stuart-Smith, Meri Meri is stocked in over 5,000 outlets throughout 69 international locations and on-line at www.merimeri.com. Meri Meri is headquartered in Burlingame, CA, with the UK headquarters in Cheltenham, UK. www.merimeri.com
About Kelly Lees
US expat Lees has a Wharton MBA and B.S in Art from Kenyon College, Ohio. She established her advertising and digital credentials at Nike and America Online (AOL) earlier than holding key positions at Dr Martens, Tech Will Save Us and Jack Wills. A eager investor in female-led companies, she has spent the previous 5 years advising startup companies on product roadmaps, digital distribution and advertising methods to improve gross sales and safe funding. Lees has lived in London for the previous 20 years along with her two teenage daughters and husband.
