Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 4, 2015…Kris Odwarka, Vice President, BMW Motorrad USA, is pleased to announce that Sarah Schilke will assume the role of National Marketing Manager, Motorrad, effective February 4, 2015.
“Sarah is a marketing professional, experienced motorcyclist and powersports industry veteran,” commented Odwarka. “Much of her work has focused on international marketing initiatives for German companies, such as Schuberth and Hein Gericke, in areas including media planning, strategic partnerships, public relations, event planning, product development, and new-segment outreach. Her connections to Germany and German brands run deep, reflecting a personal passion that’s long been entwined with her professional work.”
In addition to a marketing MBA and BA in German and Sociology, Ms. Schilke brings a unique combination of skills to the position – motorcycling (including street, track, off-road and adventure riding) and fluency in German language and culture. Her powersports affiliations include the Motorcycle Industry Council (the first female member of the Board of Directors), the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the American Motorcyclist Association (a lifetime member), and the International Motorcycling Federation (an ‘Expert’ to the FIM Commission on Women in Motorcycling).
In her role as National Marketing Manager, Ms. Schilke will be responsible for all marketing initiatives and strategies for BMW Motorrad USA. This will include traditional media placement, social media initiatives, dealer Point-of-Sale elements and experiential marketing, as well as internal marketing initiatives, such as the annual National Dealer Meeting. She will also be responsible for the tenor and direction of BMW Motorrad USA’s future marketing efforts, and for the integration of those efforts within the global “Make Life a Ride” marketing framework.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 and X4 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 122 MINI passenger car dealers, and 35 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
More, from a press release issued by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC):
MIC Board of Directors Seat Opens as Sarah Schilke Accepts Position with BMW Motorrad USA
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 4, 2015 – Industry veteran Sarah Schilke has announced she has accepted the position of National Marketing Manager with BMW Motorrad USA, a move that opens up her previously held seat on the MIC Board of Directors.
Schilke was serving her third term on the MIC BOD. “We will miss Sarah’s leadership and dedication at our meetings,” said MIC Board Chairman Dennis McNeal. “But we know that her input and influence will continue through BMW’s ongoing MIC Board participation.” BMW Motorrad USA is represented on the Board by BMW Vice President Kris Odwarka.
Schilke’s résumé consists of a wide range of industry marketing experience, including such roles as Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Schuberth North America, Western Advertising Manager for American Motorcyclist Magazine and Marketing Director and Show Feature Manager for Advanstar Communications.
“I congratulate Sarah on her new opportunity, and would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her previous service to the industry,” said MIC President Tim Buche. “The remaining eleven MIC board members are well-poised to continue their ongoing efforts to preserve, protect and promote the motorcycle industry, and we look forward to filling this open seat during MIC’s annual election cycle later this year.”
The 2015 MIC Board of Directors includes Arnold W. Ackerman (Motorsport Aftermarket Group), Steve Bortolamedi (Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.), Russ Brenan (Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.), Jon-Erik Burleson (KTM North America, Inc.), Don Emde (Don Emde Inc.), Robert Gurga (American Honda Motor Co., Inc.), Andrew Leisner (Bonnier Motorcycle Group), Larry Little (Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group), Dennis McNeal (Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.), Steve Menneto (Polaris Industries) and Kris Odwarka (BMW Motorrad USA).
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.