INDUSTRY NOW OrderMyGear Names Matt Kaplan President OrderMyGear (OMG), the leading eCommerce platform for the Promotional Products and Team Sporting Goods industries, announced Matt “Kap” Kaplan as the company’s first President. As president, Kaplan will lead OMG’s Global Sales organization, Account
protection of the brain from the effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts. The non-invasive device, called Q-Collar, is a C-shaped collar that applies compressive force to the neck and increases blood volume to help reduce movement of the brain within the cranial space which may occur during head impacts. The device may reduce the occurrence of specific changes in the brain that are associated with brain injury. The FDA said data do not demonstrate the device can
Management, Brand Partnerships and Marketing.
prevent concussion or serious head injury.
In this newly created role, Kaplan will be responsible for executing
The Q-Collar is also approved for use in Canada.
OMG’s mission to be the leading technology platform for dealers,
“This action provides an additional piece of protective equipment athletes
distributors and decorators to sell customized products. Under
can wear when playing sports to help protect their brains from the
Kaplan’s leadership throughout the past three years as Senior Vice
effects of repetitive head impacts while still wearing the personal
President of Revenue, he prioritized growing OMG’s client base by
protective equipment associated with the sport,” said Christopher M.
more than 50% while expanding into new markets and securing
Loftus, M.D., acting director of the Office of Neurological and Physical
large enterprise partnerships in the Promotional Products and
Medicine Devices in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Team Sporting Goods industries. Kaplan is committed to prioritizing client-centric initiatives and delivering new capabilities that allow OMG’s customer base to stay one step ahead of the competition.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI.
Before OMG, Kaplan spent 16 years at Under Armour, helping the
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from
brand launch into global markets and leading the North American
2006 to 2014, the number of TBI-related emergency department
Team Sports and Corporate Sales division. During his early days at
visits, hospitalizations, and deaths increased by 53%. Blunt trauma
UA, he developed a unique appreciation and respect for the dealer,
accidents, or accidents that involve being struck by or against an
distributor, and decorator, specializing in go-to-market strategies
object, particularly sports-related injuries, are a major cause of TBI.
and technology needed to service groups of consumers wanting
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes
customized apparel.
that anywhere from 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-
“Kaplan lives and knows our clients better than anyone in the
related TBIs are estimated to occur in the United States annually.
industry. He is a remarkable leader, and his promotion to President
When worn around the neck during sports activities, the Q-Collar
is just formalizing what everyone already recognizes,” remarked
provides compressive force to the internal jugular veins, which in
OMG CEO Dave Dutch. “I know I share the sentiment with my fellow
turn increases the blood volume in the skull’s blood vessels. Typically,
OMG’ers and our clients that there’s no one better than Kaplan to
when people experience blunt trauma accidents, the brain moves
take us to new heights in this next phase of growth.”
unrestrained in the skull, which is known as a “slosh.” The Q-Collar’s
Kaplan commented, “I am humbled and incredibly excited to lead
increase in blood volume in those blood vessels creates a tighter fit of
this exceptional team. We are focused on providing new solutions to help all of our clients grow while delivering world-class customer service. I love this industry, and I can’t tell you how excited I am about the innovation OMG will be bringing to market in the coming year and beyond.”
FDA Authorizes Marketing of Q-Collar The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized marketing of a new
the brain inside the skull and reduces the “slosh” movement. By reducing the movement of the brain within the cranial space, the Q-Collar may aid in the protection of the brain from the effects of head impacts.
Canadian Tire Closing all National Sports Stores Canadian Tire announced it is closing all 18 of its National Sports stores in southern Ontario by the end of June. The decision to shutter National Sports was part of Canadian Tire’s strategy to increase its
device intended to be worn around
efficiency and focus on its core businesses that include SportCheck.
the neck of athletes aged 13 years and
National Sports, which carries sportswear, shoes and gear, was
older during sports activities to aid in the
launched in 1968 as National Gym Clothing Ltd.
22 | NSGA NOW ®
>> May/June 2021
