Max Kalbfell, a marketing specialist with a strong background in the automotive industry, has been appointed global marketing director for Völkl Marker Dalbello Sports. In his new position, he is responsible for the global brand presence of the Marker, Dalbello and Völkl brands. Under his marketing leadership, the three brands Völkl, Marker and Dalbello will be communicated more independently and no longer operate under the MDV Sports umbrella brand. This will allow each brand to maintain and strengthen its unique character in the outdoor and winter sports markets. The parent company is the Seattle-based Elevate Outdoor Collective, formerly K2-MDV Holdings. In addition to Völkl, Marker and Dalbello, the group also includes all K2 Sports brands.
In addition to the brand strategies, Kalbfell’s responsibilities also include brand experience with all associated international marketing and brand campaigns. He reports directly to Jonathan Wiant, president of Völkl Marker Dalbello Sports.
Kalbfell most recently worked for BMW since 2003, including as marketing director of Mini Germany, sales and marketing director of Husqvarna Motorcycles and head of the Mini China team. In his last position at BMW, he was brand management director/CMO BMW for Northern Europe for nearly four years. Since December 2020, Kalbfell has been working as a freelance brand management expert. In his new role, he succeeds Christoph Offenberg, who joined MDV in November 2018 as head of international marketing and left the company “at his own request.”
