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Like many of us, the first thing Mike Corvino does when he
steps off an airplane after a trip is pull out his BlackBerry™ to
read his e-mails. But thanks to his JanSport LiveWire™ backpack, he
can also answer his phone or listen to music on his iPod® at the
same time.
As president of JanSport, a brand in the Outdoor Coalition
division of Vanity Fair Corporation—and a member of the Smith
School’s Board of Visitors—Corvino exemplifies the life of a leader
for the digital economy. The company recently introduced the
LiveWire line of products that use a halo product to operate Apple®
iPods and Bluetooth®-enabled phones directly from the straps of a
JanSport backpack or the front of a windbreaker or casual jacket.
JanSport worked with Apple to develop this technology, in part, says
Corvino, because media has become such an ingrained, ubiquitous part
of the lives of JanSport’s target audience.
“Our market is teenagers and young adults who are moving into a
career,” says Corvino. “Media has become important for many of us,
but especially so for teens. The iPod and Bluetooth capability were
a natural next step for us.”
Staying on top of the trend curve isn’t easy, nor is it
JanSport’s strategy, particularly in the youth market where what’s
hot changes every six-and-a-half minutes or so. “We’re not
necessarily trend-setters, but we are a brand that consistently
delivers world-class products to market. We try to be trend-right,”
says Corvino.
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Corvino demonstrated the new LiveWire
technology to Smith School students outside Van Munching
Hall. |
JanSport is also looking to expand its global market, making a
significant investment to increase its presence in Canada and in
Latin America, specifically in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
Corvino played football for the University of Maryland from 1979
to 1982, and he says the experience has had a big impact on his
professional career. “Being a student athlete and being on a team
has had a huge impact on my career,” he says. “When I hire for the
JanSport team, I want to surround myself with people who really care
about what they’re doing, and then put them in a position where they
can use their God-given abilities and be successful. Intellect is
without a doubt very critical, but that needs to be balanced with
skill, experience, and being the kind of individual who really cares
about the work, and then you find your organization being very
competitive in the marketplace.”
LiveWire products aren’t yet widely available, but Corvino
believes they will do well for JanSport. The company isn’t resting
on its laurels, though. “Technology is so quick, so
fast-paced—today’s technology is old tomorrow,” says Corvino. “So
we’re working on the next generation of capabilities as well.”
July 2007: Our
thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mike Corvino
during this difficult time. |
