Bridgestone's Pacsi to retire; marketing staff promotions ensue

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Phil Pacsi, vice president, sports/events marketing and training for Bridgestone America Tire Operations (BATO), is retiring, triggering a series of leadership changes in the business' marketing organization.

Mr. Pacsi plans to retire Sept. 30 after 36 years with Bridgestone and Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., where he started his tire industry career as a development engineer, Bridgestone said.

Amber Holm, vice president, consumer brand marketing, U.S. and Canada for BATO since November 2015, will assume the redefined position of vice president, marketing, consumer and customer engagement, U.S. and Canada, BATO.

Jeffrey Lack, who joined Bridgestone in 2015 as vice president of marketing and merchandising for Bridgestone Retail Operations (BSRO), will become vice president, marketing, consumer tire, U.S. and Canada for BATO.

Dave Nientimp, who joined BSRO in 2016, will succeed Mr. Lack as vice president, marketing and merchandising, BSRO.

In her new role, Ms. Holm will lead engagement activities for the company's sports and entertainment partnership platforms, which include the National Football League, National Hockey League, Verizon IndyCar Series, PGA Tour, the company's Worldwide Olympic Partnership and country music. In addition, she will oversee dealer training and education for the consumer tire business.

Since joining Bridgestone in 2014, Ms. Holm has made many contributions to the consumer tire business, leading strategic brand-building programs that have produced record growth in brand awareness and consideration for the Bridgestone and Firestone tire brands, the company said.

Mr. Lack will lead strategic marketing efforts for the company's consumer tire business in North America and implement brand-building and digital engagement programs that drive traffic to customers' stores.

Mr. Lack has developed an innovative integrated media planning process and developed brand and digital programs that generated increases in store traffic and consumer engagement, the company said. He has more than 20 years of experience in strategic marketing leadership, including 15 years in global marketing roles at Shell Oil Co.

Since joining BSRO, Mr. Nientimp has played a key role in developing and delivering brand and advertising strategies for the Firestone Complete Auto Care and Tires Plus retail brands, the company said. In his new role, Mr. Nientimp will be responsible for overall marketing strategy at the company's 2,200-plus retail locations. This will include brand-building programs, digital initiatives and tire and service merchandising.

He has more than 20 years of experience leading marketing strategy and brand-building activities for consumer packaged goods and retail brands, including marketing leadership roles at Constellation Brands Inc. and Kraft Heinz Co.

"These changes will better align our team with the needs of the business and enable us to accelerate our efforts to deliver on key priorities. I look forward to seeing the team develop under this dynamic group of leaders," Philip Dobbs, BATO's chief marketing officer, said.

Mr. Pacsi began his career at the former Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. as a development engineer and worked across numerous areas and functions at Bridgestone before joining the marketing team in 1994.

Since that time, he has become the architect behind many of the company's sports marketing programs, which include its Worldwide Olympic Partnership, its role as sole tire supplier for the Verizon IndyCar Series, naming rights for Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and league partnerships with the NFL, NHL and more, the company said.

"Phil has been an invaluable member of the Bridgestone team, providing leadership that has helped elevate the presence of our brands among consumers and our important dealer customers," Mr. Dobbs said.

"He also has played a significant role in establishing a strong team to ensure we continue to build our brands and carry on his legacy."