KICKER Joins Fast Growing Rep

KICKER is the latest brand to join Crossover Marketing, the year-old rep firm in the Pacific Northwest that has quickly partnered with some of the top brands in the market.

Crossover will serve KICKER dealers in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.

In addition to KICKER, Pioneer partnered with Crossover last October. Principal Rob Sutton, former Director of Sales for KENWOOD, said that partnership marked the first time Pioneer has partnered with a rep outside of National Accounts in decades.

Other brands represented by Crossover include Hertz/Audison, VOXX/Directed/SiriusXM, BOSS, LinksWell, Dynamat, and PCA Enclosures.

Sutton said the firm is comfortable with its current level of supplier partners at this point, and it has respectfully declined a number of other offers. “We got where we wanted to be quickly for sure. In the first year I wanted to have five brands across multiple categories, now, as we start year two, we have eight. ”

Crossover has two younger employees, including Sutton’s son Sam and Zach Vanatta. The latter will help with a new arm of the company that will focus on dealer events.   The idea is to help dealers commit to shows by providing a commitment of support from Crossover. Vanatta will help manage many facets of the events with additional support from the other Crossover team members as needed.

Sutton attributes the fast growth of the firm in part to his background at KENWOOD and his 30 years experience working with CarToys.  “People know I’m pretty good with CarToys,” he said adding that he’s in a position to help suppliers because he’s “lived and breathed their problems.”

He’s also worked closely with reps for decades and plans to start a rep organization that would follow in the spirit of the Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA) buying group and the Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA). The rep organization would share best practices and help younger aspiring reps get started.  “I want to focus on helping the young people in the industry find their way,” he said, noting that even the reps in his territory will be welcome.   He pointed out that local reps work together to put on the annual PNWCEE dealer show each spring.

As for KICKER, Western Regional Sales Manager Tracy Focht, said KICKER was looking for a rep firm that’s focused on deepening relationships with dealers.

Crossover was also founded by Paul Pilat, who has decades of experience at Intel and at consumer electronics companies.

See KICKER press release here.