The World Surf League (WSL) today announced the appointment of Will Chignell as its Chief Marketing Officer. Chignell joins the WSL at an exciting time for the organization, and he will support CEO Sophie Goldschmidt and her executive team in leading the company in 2018 and beyond. In his role, Chignell will oversee global marketing, brand, social media, PR and communications.
Chignell joins the WSL after holding high-level executive positions at the America’s Cup, where he was Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, and at The Rugby Football Union, which hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Prior to these roles, he ran his own Marketing & Communications Consultancy, and previously was an international broadcaster for SkySports. Chignell’s successful track record across the Marketing and Communications fields will be vital to the future growth of the League.
“We’re very fortunate to have Will join the organization,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “He’s a proven and respected leader in the Marketing and Communications arena, with broad experience across the world, in many events, in a variety of sports. As Chief Marketing Officer, he was instrumental in the success of the compelling, profitable America’s Cup last year, which WSL can learn from as we look forward. The future is bright for WSL and the sport surfing in the coming years.”
“I can’t wait to join such a talented, passionate team, and a brand and sport that has such enormous potential,” Chignell said. “There are many landmark events on the horizon, and the WSL, the sport and the athletes have an amazing story to tell.”
Home of the world’s best surfing, the WSL celebrates multiple disciplines of the sport – men’s and women’s shortboard, longboard and big wave – and has crowned the undisputed men’s and women’s champions since 1976.
Led by reigning two-time men’s and women’s WSL Champions John John Florence (HAW) andTyler Wright (AUS), the first event of the 2018 WSL Championship Tour will be the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast in Australia from March 11 – 22, 2018.
For more information, check out WorldSurfLeague.com.
About WSL
The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.
The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, annually running in excess of 180 global events across the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed world champions in Men’s, Women’s across all divisions within the tour.
Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Tyler Wright, John John Florence, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Taylor Jensen, Honolua Blomfield, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore, Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com
