# Strick Walker

> Strick Walker is a Grand Rapids-based brand builder and the CEO and co-founder of M72 whose career has moved through agencies, environmental organizations, consumer startups and outdoor companies including IDEO, Y&R, 1% for the Planet, Converse, Patagonia, Spindrift, Merrell, Simms Fishing Products and Revelyst. His public philosophy favors plain propositions, close contact with customers, long-term loyalty and outdoor storytelling grounded in participation and conservation.

- **Role:** CEO & Co-Founder at M72
- **Organizations:** M72, Revelyst, Simms Fishing Products, Merrell, Spindrift Beverage Co., Patagonia, Converse, 1% for the Planet, IDEO, Y&R, Protect Our Winters, The Conservation Alliance
- **Education:** University of Richmond
- **Known for:** Helped 1% for the Planet grow to more than 1,200 member businesses in 40 countries, supporting more than 2,000 environmental organizations., Led global brand strategy and marketing as Merrell's chief marketing officer., Served on the boards of Protect Our Winters and The Conservation Alliance.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2010** — Worked on the agency side, including roles with IDEO and Y&R, and served as chief marketing officer of 1% for the Planet.
- **Before 2015** — Spent six years in global marketing at Converse, including EMEA brand and global communications work.
- **Before 2016** — Served as senior director of global marketing at Patagonia.
- **2015-2017** — Served as chief marketing officer at Spindrift and helped clarify the brand around real fruit, bubbles and water.
- **2017-2020** — Served as chief marketing officer of Merrell, leading global brand strategy and marketing.
- **2020-2024** — Served as chief marketing officer at Simms Fishing Products.
- **2024** — Led marketing for a group of Revelyst brands including Simms, Bushnell, Camp Chef, Stone Glacier, Primos and Blackhawk.
- **2024-present** — Became CEO and co-founder of M72 in Grand Rapids.

## Achievements

- Helped 1% for the Planet grow to more than 1,200 member businesses in 40 countries, supporting more than 2,000 environmental organizations.
- Led global brand strategy and marketing as Merrell's chief marketing officer.
- Served on the boards of Protect Our Winters and The Conservation Alliance.
- Helped Spindrift express its real-fruit proposition more clearly through packaging and consumer research.
- Championed inclusive outdoor storytelling at Merrell and conservation-oriented storytelling at Simms.

## Latest updates

- **2025-11** — Published a reflection arguing that brands should accept creative friction, avoid sameness and choose depth with purpose over flashy breadth.
- **2024-10** — Began serving as CEO and co-founder of M72 in Grand Rapids.
- **2024-02** — Moved into a Revelyst portfolio marketing role spanning Simms, Bushnell, Camp Chef, Stone Glacier, Primos and Blackhawk.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strick-walker-a970934

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/strick-walker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26