Association of Surfing Professionals Appoints Michael Lynch as CMO & CRO

Association of Surfing Professionals International (ASP), pills the governing body of professional surfers announced today the appointment of Michael Lynch as its Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer.

Lynch joins ASP shortly after the organization announced Paul Speaker in the role of ASP Chief Executive Officer. Together they will work to build surfing’s new global sports league.

In his new role, Lynch will be responsible for helping the organization optimize its growth potential worldwide and specifically manage all ASP marketing, communications and sponsorship activities for professional surfing’s governing body. As 2013 is a transitional year, Lynch and other ASP executives will use this season to focus on data-gathering, analysis and preparation as they build toward the 2014 ASP World Championship Tour launch.

“Michael is a highly respected global marketer, a top influencer in the sports industry and a leader in building brands,” Speaker said. “His extensive experience and expertise identifying and activating sponsorships with the most recognizable sports properties in the world make him the ideal candidate for the position and an invaluable asset to ASP. He will play a vital role with ASP as we continue to build our infrastructure and grow the organization to better benefit our surfers, sponsors and fans.”

Lynch’s more-than-25-year tenure in the sports industry includes premier sports and entertainment divisions with category leading organizations. During his nearly 17 years with Visa, Lynch led the company’s global sponsorship marketing/management strategy and execution including activations with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup, NFL and numerous other properties. He and the organizations he led, have received numerous industry awards and recognition including, tabbed by The Sporting News magazine as one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Sports”, “Sports Sponsor of the Year” by the Sports Business Journal, and “The 25 Best Sponsors in America” by Event Marketer Magazine.

“The excitement, passion, energy and entrepreneurial spirit of building a new centralized global sports league with Paul was too much for me to pass up. The ASP’s potential is inspiring and I’m looking forward to working with all those associated with ASP as we deliver the very best world-class experience for the fans, surfers and sponsors,” Lynch said. “As we implement the business-wide fan-centric philosophy, our commercial and broadcast partners will find ASP has the right recipe for success and a compelling marketing and sales platform to build their business.”