Astound Commerce announced that it has named industry leader Michael Kahn as its first Global CEO. The independent digital commerce specialist designs experience-driven ecosystems that fuse technology, data, design and storytelling to propel business growth for brands such as: Allergan, Boohoo, TOMS, Calvin Klein, PUMA, Under Armour and many others. This appointment was made to further accelerate the company’s growth, development and marketplace leadership. Kahn will work alongside Astound Commerce Co-Founders Ilya Vinogradsky, Igor Gorin, and Roman Martynenko.
Igor Gorin, who also serves as CEO, North America, of Astound Commerce said: “Michael brings a unique combination of passion, perseverance and personal commitment to Astound Commerce. Whether working for a startup or a multinational digital agency, he has always applied his relentless energy to the task at hand and we feel strongly that his leadership will positively impact our company, clients and partners.”
Kahn has been charged with accelerating revenue growth, driving corporate and operations strategy and setting a global network vision for Astound Commerce, further igniting its already strong corporate culture. As the company propels through its 20th year, he will add his decades of experience to the business’s commerce service offerings, operations, marketing and talent/team to ensure it is poised for the next decade of growth and marketplace leadership.
Kahn said: “It would be accurate to say that I am astounded by this opportunity because I so greatly respect what Astound Commerce has accomplished since its start in 2000: how it transitioned after the Fluid and Groove acquisitions, and for its continued growth during this global pandemic. My goal for the organization is for it to become worldly renown for its stellar work growing commerce revenue for leading brands, bringing together and building our first-class team in the process.”
Prior to joining Astound, Kahn spent over a decade at Publicis, first as part of Performics, a leading performance marketing agency, where he rose to the title of Global CEO/Global Brand President. He led the global buildout of the business and oversaw operations across APAC, EMEA, LATAM and NA. Most recently, he served as Global Brand President for Digitas, unifying its global operations, resetting its go-to-market positioning and driving network expansion.
Kahn will serve as a member of the Astound Commerce Board of Directors and act as Chairman of the Managing Board.