Mark King Returns to the Golf Equipment Market

News Summary

Mark King, former CEO of TaylorMade, is back in the golf industry as a consultant for Honma Golf, aiming for growth in North America. After a brief departure from Adidas, he sees great potential in Honma’s artisan-style clubs. With plans to innovate and unveil new products in early 2019, King is ready to tackle branding challenges and make Honma a competitive name in luxury golf equipment.

Mark King Returns to Golf Industry in a Big Way

Golf enthusiasts, get ready for some exciting news! Mark King, the former CEO of TaylorMade, is making a splash once again in the golf equipment market. After a brief hiatus from the industry, he’s stepping back into the game as a consultant for Honma Golf. That’s right, the man who helped revolutionize golf gear is back, and he has big plans for North America.

From Retirement Plans to Consulting

King had previously announced his exit from Adidas North America back in April and even hinted that retirement was on the horizon. But when he caught wind of Honma Golf’s operations and the vision of its leadership, he decided to jump back into the fray. It seems that the allure of the golf world was just too strong to resist!

Leading the Charge for North American Expansion

In this new role, King will be focusing on shaping the company’s strategy and spearheading efforts for growth in North America. While he describes his position as advisory, insiders are buzzing with the news that he’ll play a significant part in guiding the company’s direction. It seems he’s moved from advisor to de facto head honcho, setting the stage for some serious changes.

Honma Golf’s Journey

Now, if you’re not familiar with Honma Golf, they specialize in ultra high-end, artisan-style clubs tailored for those willing to pay a premium for quality. However, they’ve faced some hurdles in establishing a strong foothold in North America, despite an impressive reported sales increase of 83.6% in the U.S. That’s no small feat, but there’s plenty of room for growth!

King’s Vision for the Future

King has expressed his enthusiasm for the chance to innovate and connect with potential customers more effectively in the North American market. With his history of revolutionizing golf marketing and products at TaylorMade, many industry insiders believe that he has the perfect blend of experience and vision to make Honma a household name.

Challenges Ahead

However, it won’t be all smooth sailing for King and his new team. They will need to tackle some branding perception challenges that have lingered around Honma Golf. Overcoming the luxury image and making their offerings relatable to the average golfer will be key in driving deeper market penetration.

Introducing Exciting New Products

Looking ahead, King and Honma have plans to unveil some dazzling new products at a major event earmarked for January 2019. This introduction will pave the way for a stronger presence on the PGA Tour, something that is sure to grab the attention of golf aficionados everywhere. With fewer than 150 retail accounts and less than 400 doors in the U.S., the room for escalation is palpable.

Innovative Strategies in Golf

Remarkably, King is not new to challenging the norms of the traditional golf world. His tenure at TaylorMade was marked by creative marketing strategies, and it seems like he’ll carry that mindset into his work at Honma. Paired with Honma’s recent partnerships and collaborations, including significant movements with Itochu Corporation and signings with past top-ranked golfers, it signals that they are serious about carving out a significant slice of the golf industry pie.

In Conclusion

As Mark King takes the helm for Honma Golf’s North American endeavor, the golf community is buzzing with anticipation. Will he be able to turn the brand’s fortunes around and establish it as a dominant player in the luxury golf segment? With an innovative strategy, a keen eye for market trends, and a proven track record, many are optimistic about what lies ahead for Honma Golf with King at the wheel. Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning!

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Additional Resources

• GolfWRX: Mark King Takes Over at Honma
• Golf Digest: Mark King Hired as Strategic Advisor at Honma
• Golf.com: Mark King Joins Honma Golf
• Geoff Shackelford: Mark King’s Return to Golf
• Wikipedia: General Information