SWIM/SURF
Volcom Names New Global Creative Director
Volcom, one of the surf/skate and lifestyle world’s most prominent labels, recently named Mike Aho, a veteran graphic designer and filmmaker for Volcom, its new global creative director.
Ethan Anderson, the former global creative director, is now the vice president and global marketing director at Sanuk, a footwear line that is headquartered in Irvine, Calif.
Aho will direct the marketing and branding efforts across all media channels for the Costa Mesa, Calif.–headquartered Volcom, which is owned by Kering, the Paris-based fashion company that also owns luxury brands such as Alexander McQueen, Brioni and Stella McCartney.
Aho started working with Volcom in 2003 and created humorous graphics that later were emblazoned on the company’s T-shirts and skateboards. He recently directed a feature-length film on the history of Volcom and boardsports culture, called “True to This,” which was released this year. Ryan Immegart, Volcom’s senior vice president of global marketing, produced the movie. Aho said that the company developed a deeper understanding of Volcom’s mission during the production of the film. It’s about the feeling one gets when catching a great wave or performing a great stunt on a skateboard.
“It’s a spiritual place in your head. People go to a different place when you’re in that zone. Volcom is at its best when it is embodying that place,” Aho said.
Among Aho’s tasks will be combining print marketing, video marketing and social marketing with one cohesive message. He also will oversee design of the lookbooks and work with Jason Bleik, Volcom’s head of design, to ensure that the company’s marketing and design is on the same page.
Aho lives with his family in Austin, Texas. He will commute to Costa Mesa every other week.
