St. Croix promotes Simpkins to fill ‘key’ marketing role

St. Croix Rod has promoted Cristian Simpkins into what the company describes as a ‘key’ marketing role.

Simpkins, who has been with the Wisconsin company for two years, becomes Show and Staff Coordinator. He will attend trade and consumer events as well as being primary point of contact and administrator for St. Croix’s 300-plus pro staff and another 250 anglers on its guide programme.

He will also be administrator for hundreds of high school and collegiate anglers on the company’s scholastic programme. He starts his new role on January 2.

Simpkins previously worked as an angler guide in St. Croix’s Guide Centre, the brand’s customer service department, where he gained experience working with retail partners and sales reps.

St. Croix Brand Manager, Ryan Teach, said Simpkins passion for fishing, knowledge of the brand and people skills made him an ideal candidate for the position. “A lot of us love to live and fish here at St. Croix,” added Teach. “Cristian falls at the extreme end of that curve.”

Simpkins said: “I am excited to start making some changes that make it easier [for pro anglers, guides and students] to advance and promote the St. Croix brand more effectively. I’ll also be at trade and consumer shows, which are incredible opportunities to meet and connect with anglers and other potential partners in the industry.”