Portland, Maine – The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Jacobson as its new Executive Director. Marianne LaCroix, who has served as Acting Executive Director for the MLMC for the past two years, will remain on in a supporting role.
"The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative is vital to promoting Maine’s lobster industry to the world,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Matt has a track record of accomplishment in business growth and development, and we look forward to his efforts to lead the Maine lobster industry into a new era of marketing and profitability.”
The primary objective of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative is to increase awareness and demand for whole live Maine lobster as well as value-added Maine lobster products. The MLMC supports that objective by promoting the core values of the Maine lobster industry, which is sustainable and deeply rooted in tradition.
"I’m tremendously excited and proud to support an industry and product that is so quintessentially Maine,” said Jacobson. "I’ve loved Maine lobster all my life and now I have the privilege of working directly with the remarkable men and women who sustainably harvest this iconic Maine food. It will be an honor to share my enthusiasm for Maine lobster with the world.”
Jacobson brings to his new position over 20 years in sales, marketing, and senior leadership positions, most notably in connection to business and economic development in Maine. From 2006 to 2011, Jacobson served as President and CEO of Maine & Company, a non-profit business consulting and development organization. Under Jacobson’s leadership, Maine & Company was able to attract companies to Maine that employ over 5,000 people across the state. Between 2008 and 2009, Jacobson also ran for Governor, co-hosted Jacobson & Katz: Inside Maine Business television show, and wrote a guest column for MaineBiz magazine.
From 2000 to 2005, Jacobson built the Canadian National Railway’s intermodal business into a $1 billion a year enterprise. Previously, as President and COO of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, Jacobson lead a 300 percent increase in revenue growth in 3 years.
"Matt is an outstanding selection for Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative,” said Patrick Keliher, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources and a Board member.
"His successes in business leadership, international relations, and marketing make him a perfect fit for this important position. This industry needs someone who can think critically, build consensus, and take initiative to set and accomplish new and ambitious goals. Matt definitely brings those accomplishments to the table. He also has a strong background in marketing Maine to the world, which will be critically important since Maine and lobster are so closely connected in people’s minds.”
Jacobson will be formally introduced to industry for the first time at the Lobster Advisory Council’s meeting on Wednesday, July 16. His first official day on the job will be Monday, August 18.
About the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
The MLMC was founded in 2013 to replace the Maine Lobster Promotion Council, and is funded by Maine lobster harvesters, dealers and processors to conduct marketing and promotion for Maine lobster. The industry has been self-regulating for more than 140 years, to ensure it remains alive, healthy and poised for a bright future. Maine lobster achieved Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in 2013, allowing Maine lobster to certify its long-standing sustainable practices.
In 2014, the MLMC continues to promote Maine lobster as America’s seafood through trade education and initiatives such as a promotional partnership with the Culinary Institute of America, participation in events like the recent Seafood Expo and CIA Flavor Summit, expanding the chef ambassador program, and development of an interactive database program.
Source: Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative
