NAMM Hires New Director of Market Development

NAMM, the trade association of the international music products industry, today announced that Morgan Ringwald will be its new director of market development.

Ringwald, former vice president of public relations for Fender Musical Instruments Corp., previously handled all product and marketing publicity for FMIC brand names including Fender, Squier, Guild, Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel and SWR. Additionally, Ringwald managed several special projects and charitable endeavors for Fender with the United Way, Big Brothers and Sisters, VH1’s Save the Music, MusiCares and the Fender Center for Performing Arts. Prior to joining Fender, Ringwald worked in the film industry with Polygram and Universal Films.

Ringwald has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in media arts from the University of Arizona and will graduate in May of 2007 with a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.

In his new position, Ringwald will manage market outreach and promotion strategies in order to increase active participation in music making. He will create and maintain national partnerships and promotions that will be executed in local markets to directly impact NAMM Member retail stores.

Ringwald, who is currently based in Scottsdale, Ariz., will begin working for NAMM in February, and will relocate to Carlsbad, Calif., by summer of 2007.

"As music products retailers continue to face tremendous challenges in the marketplace, it’s a great time to look at NAMM’s many programs to expand the market,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO, NAMM. "Morgan’s years of industry experience and passion to serve will help us maximize our effectiveness in market development.”

“I’m delighted to have the privilege of joining the NAMM team and serving the global music products industry,” said Ringwald.

NAMM reinvests more than $10 million annually in activities, programs and initiatives that have recently included Wanna Play?; the Vans Warped Tour, Camp Jams, the National Anthem Project, the Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands, the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, World's Fastest Drummer Competition, Sesame Street Music Works as well as a roster of dealer-focused recreational music making programs such as Weekend Warriors and New Horizons Music.