ZAZZLE APPOINTS JAMES HECKMAN CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER AND BOARD ADVISOR
ZAZZLE APPOINTS JAMES HECKMAN CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER AND BOARD ADVISOR
Industry Veteran Tapped to Lead Next Generation of Zazzle's Strategic Growth
Redwood City, Calif. – October 29, 2007 - Zazzle, (www.zazzle.com), the only, on-demand custom merchandise platform offering billions of retail quality products that ship in 24 hours, today announced the appointment of James Heckman to the position of chief strategy officer (CSO) and board advisor. Heckman was most recently chief strategy officer at Fox Interactive Media (FIM) after his company, Scout.com, was acquired by FIM. As CSO of Zazzle, Heckman is responsible for directing the overall growth strategy for the company, including specific oversight of all M&A, business development, branding, corporate communications, marketing and sales initiatives.
Heckman brings more than two decades of CEO/CSO operating experience as well as major media distribution relationships to Zazzle. He founded and led several successful Internet ventures, including Rivals.com and Scout.com (both brands eventually sold separately to Fox and Yahoo!) and previously operated as president of Heckman Media, Inc., owner and publisher of more than 60 sports publications for NFL and major university teams.
Most recently, as CSO of Fox Interactive Media, he was the architect of the pivotal partnership between MySpace/Fox and Google – one of the largest strategic deals in the history of the Internet. During discussion with Google board member, John Doerr, Heckman was introduced to Zazzle where Doerr is also a director, representing Kleiner, Perkins Caufiled and Byers' investment in Zazzle.
"We are thrilled to have Jim join the Zazzle team, bringing his talent, experience and energy to this exciting company," said John Doerr, Partner at Kleiner, Perkins Caufiled and Byers.
Robert Beaver, CEO and co-founder of Zazzle notes that, "Jim is joining us at an exciting time. His unparalleled experience and relationships will drive our strategic development, further extending our brand and reach in the marketplace."
"My previous position afforded me the opportunity to see and meet first hand, the leadership of nearly every quality internet start up. Of the hundreds reviewed, no single internet company impressed me more than Zazzle," said James Heckman. "I am looking forward to leading and expanding their sales and distribution channels and building additional partnerships to leverage Zazzle's proprietary technology which empowers users to monetize their own content. I saw no other start-up with a stronger earnings and growth model, because no other company is better positioned to deliver revenue to end users, as well as licensing and distribution of brands."
About Zazzle
Infinite and Instant, Zazzle is the only on-demand retail platform for consumers and major brands, offering billions of retail quality, one-of-a-kind products, most of which are produced within 24 hours. With the largest library of customizable digital images from world-class brands, Zazzle enables content owners to unlock their entire libraries of content, making it available for purchase and customization by consumers. Through Zazzle's innovative on-demand retail and technology platform, users can instantly create, customize to fit their personal style, purchase and sell a near infinite array of products online. The company launched in 2005 and is based in Redwood City, California. For more information, https://www.zazzle.com.
