CELEBRATION, Fla. - ESPN today introduced Tom Ricks, a veteran of the fishing and consumer products industry, as general manager of BASS, effective Feb. 12.
Ricks has most recently been general manager and global marketing director for Pure Fishing, a worldwide leader in fishing products servicing 120 countries. Ricks will report to Steve Anderson, Executive Vice-President of Production & Technical Operations for ESPN.
"We've spent six months in search of the best candidate to manage BASS and we found that person in Tom Ricks," said Anderson. "He brings the right mixture of fishing industry experience, familiarity with BASS constituencies and a strong track record of results to the role."
Ricks, who graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Finance, will relocate from his current home in Okoboji, Iowa, to work at BASS headquarters in Celebration, Fla.
"I am excited about the challenge of aligning the interests of members, anglers, sponsors and fans, so that BASS continues its leadership position in the world of bass fishing," said Ricks. "At its core BASS defines a passion that anglers have for the sport. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help drive that passion within competitive bass fishing."
While with Pure Fishing, Ricks directed global marketing operations and new product development for the organization's rod, reel and combination products, providing overall management and marketing mix for key brands such as Abu Garcia, Fenwick and Berkley. He also drove sourcing strategy efforts targeting global leverage and developed brand strategy.