Fender Names Jason Padgitt VP of Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Press release
Source: FMIC

Jason Padgitt

Fender’s dedicated commitment to growing and strengthening its communications with not only the musical instrument industry, but also the world at large, is reflected in the move. In his role at the helm of public relations and communications, Padgitt joins Jason Farrell and Jeff Owens; each bringing expanded objectives and aggressive new vision to their roles.

In addition to building a long-term comprehensive communications strategy, the group will operate with a firm commitment to increasing the output, frequency and quality of internal and external communications content. The group will also aggressively build and maximize FMIC brand equity through proactive media outreach and strategic positioning.

“The addition of Jason Padgitt and the overall expansion of our communications team is proof of our commitment to improved communications at Fender,” said Andy Rossi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and R&D. “As a leading brand, we have important messages and we want to be heard and clearly understood around the world.”

Padgitt joins Fender after more than ten successful years with Los Angeles entertainment PR and marketing powerhouse Rogers & Cowan, where he managed a wide variety of music-based organizations, corporations, artists and major events, including the annual Grammy® Awards. With his new role at Fender, he will report to Paul Jernigan, Vice President of Marketing Services.

Farrell joined Fender in 2003 as editor and copywriter of industry-leading Fender publication Frontline. He is also responsible for producing marketing, advertising and web communications; most recently he has handled PR functions for FMIC. Before coming to Fender, he managed PR for the Tempe Music Festival, Outback Steakhouse’s “Beauty of a Bonzer” mega-fundraiser, Cox Communications Inc., Sandusky Broadcasting (KDKB, KSLX, KUPD) and Del Webb.

Owens joined Fender in 2005 as a writer and editor, producing news stories, feature articles and artist interviews for the FMIC family of websites, plus many other web/print written materials. He is a native Phoenician, an award-winning newspaper/magazine journalist and a published songwriter/musician/performer whose work has appeared on NBC, Fox Television, ABC, PBS, the Disney Channel, Showtime, ESPN and many other networks.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is the world’s foremost manufacturer of guitars, amplifiers and related equipment. Since 1946, the name Fender® has become synonymous with all things rock ‘n’ roll: from Buddy Holly to Eric Clapton to Sting to John Mayer and everything in between. Fender’s iconic instruments, such as the Telecaster®, Stratocaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® guitars are known the world over as the instruments that started the rock revolution, and they continue to be highly prized among today’s musicians and collectors alike. Corporate headquarters are located in Scottsdale, Ariz., with manufacturing headquarters and the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop in Corona, Calif. FMIC markets using the brand names Fender®, Squier®, EVH®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, Tacoma®, Olympia™, Orpheum® and Brand X®. For more information, please visit www.fender.com.