(IDEX Online) - The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has appointed Mark Buntz as its senior vice president and chief marketing officer to lead its global marketing efforts and drive the future of the GIA brand. He succeeds Kathryn Kimmel, who retired in August after 30 years with GIA.
In his new role, Buntz will support the expansion of GIA's education, laboratory services - including the new GIA Diamond Origin Report - and instruments business into new markets and extend GIA's 4Cs of Diamond Quality consumer outreach program.
Buntz joins GIA from TaylorMade Golf Company, where he was vice president of global brand marketing. He also held leadership positions with prominent mass media and digital companies, including ESPN, NBCUniversal and Hulu.