Purple Appoints Jeff Hutchings as Chief Innovation Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Purple Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL) has appointed Jeff Hutchings as its first Chief Innovation Officer, effective May 1, 2022. Hutchings will lead product strategy and innovation at the company's headquarters in Lehi, Utah. With over 20 years of experience, including a role as Chief Product Officer at Skullcandy, he aims to drive growth through innovative comfort solutions. CEO Rob DeMartini expressed confidence that Hutchings will enhance the leadership team and accelerate product development, positioning Purple for future growth in the health and wellness sector.

Positive

• Appointment of Jeff Hutchings as Chief Innovation Officer expected to enhance leadership and innovation.
• Hutchings brings over a decade of experience in product strategy and development.
• Potential for accelerated growth and innovation in product offerings.

Negative

• Concerns regarding continuity and experience gaps during a leadership transition.

Dedicated to helping consumers get better sleep, Purple invests in senior leadership with eyes on future growth and expansion

LEHI, Utah, March 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Purple Innovation, Inc (NASDAQ: PRPL) ("Purple" or the "Company"), a leader in comfort innovation and the creator of the renowned "World's First No Pressure® Mattress, with its proprietary GelFlex™ Grid," today announced the appointment of Jeff Hutchings as its first ever Chief Innovation Officer at its Lehi, UT headquarters, effective May 1, 2022. Hutchings will oversee strategy and operations of the company's product solutions, playing a leading role in supporting Purple's future growth plans and innovation acceleration.

"I am thrilled to announce that Jeff Hutchings will be joining Purple as our Chief Innovation Officer, bringing his deep experience in leading product strategy and development across different channels to spearhead Purple's innovation journey," said Rob DeMartini, Purple's Chief Executive Officer. "I am confident that Jeff will strengthen our team at Purple and help lead us with innovative new products to help drive growth."

Hutchings brings more than a decade of experience in strategic business leadership in innovation, R&D, new product introduction (NPI), and quality assurance. Previously the Chief Product Officer at Skullcandy Inc., which markets headphones, hands-free devices, and other products, Jeff transformed the nature of the brand into a leading accessible technology company.

Hutchings will report directly to Rob DeMartini, who was officially appointed Chief Executive Officer in March 2022. Purple continues to grow its executive team of creative, solutions-driven strategists to help create positive change within the industry and will lean on Hutchings' guidance to push the company's innovation solutions forward.

"Joining Purple presents a unique opportunity to create meaningful impact within the health and wellness industry, helping improve lives and reinventing comfort for consumers," said Hutchings. "I look forward to continuing to transform the category and drive the company's growth through innovative comfort solutions and technology for many years to come."

Prior to his role at Skullcandy Inc., where he served as both Chief Product Officer and Vice President of Product, Hutchings held various roles at HARMAN International, a global leader in connected car technology and lifestyle audio innovations. He plans to bring his 20+ years of experience leading corporate technology, engineering management, strategy, and innovative operations to Purple in the coming months. Jeff holds a BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, ASIC/FPGA design, Computer Science, and Software Development from University of Utah.

About Purple
Purple is a digitally native vertical brand with a mission to help improve lives through innovative comfort solutions. We design and manufacture a variety of innovative, premium comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, bedding, frames, and more. Our products are the result of over 30 years of innovation and investment in proprietary and patented comfort technologies and the development of our own manufacturing processes. Our proprietary technology, the GelFlex Grid, is the foundation of many of our comfort products and provides a range of benefits that differentiate our offerings from other competitors' products. We market and sell our products through our direct-to-consumer online channels, traditional retail partners, third-party online retailers, and our owned retail showrooms. Visit Purple online at purple.com and "like" Purple on Facebook and "follow" on Instagram.

Media Contact:
Gina Balistreri
Senior Public Relations Manager 
gina.b@purple.com 
414-213-4460

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SOURCE Purple Innovation, Inc.

FAQ

Who is Jeff Hutchings and what role is he taking on at Purple Innovation?

Jeff Hutchings is appointed as Chief Innovation Officer at Purple Innovation to oversee product strategy and innovation.

When does Jeff Hutchings officially start his role at Purple?

He will officially start on May 1, 2022.

What experience does Jeff Hutchings bring to Purple?

Hutchings has over 20 years of experience in product strategy and development, including his previous role as Chief Product Officer at Skullcandy.

What are the expectations from Jeff Hutchings in his new role?

There are expectations for him to drive growth and accelerate product innovation at Purple.

What is the main focus of Purple Innovation after appointing Jeff Hutchings?

The main focus is on strengthening innovation and expanding product offerings in the health and wellness industry.