BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — One of the industry’s most brilliant and beloved characters, Gregg Bagni, has died following a snowboarding accident in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, friends have confirmed to BRAIN.
Bagni is best known as the leader of marketing at Schwinn from 1993 to 2000, when he gave the legacy brand a new face following its bankruptcy and move from Chicago to Boulder. His best known stunt during that time was when he hired 100 Elvis impersonators to lead a parade down the Las Vegas strip to celebrate Schwinn’s 100th birthday.
During his tenure, Schwinn won the most coveted award in advertising, the Kelly award, as well as an Effie award for advertising effectiveness, and a Clio. Advertising Age magazine voted him a “Top 100 Marketer” and he appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN and other current programs…