Camp hires former HBO marketing chief; plans to ramp up expansion

Camp has brought on a marketing veteran to help lead it into the next phase of growth.

The family-friendly, experiential retailer has appointed Chris Spadaccini as chief marketing officer. He will lead Camp’s brand, advertising, creative, media and growth marketing strategies as the company prepares for rapid expansion.

Most recently, Spadaccini was the chief marketing officer of WarnerMedia Entertainment, where he led marketing for category-leading brands, including HBO, TBS, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Prior to this, Spadaccini spent 20 years at HBO, where he oversaw brand strategy, creative advertising, media, consumer promotions, as well as multicultural and digital platform marketing. He played a key role in the development of HBO's direct-to-consumer strategy, transforming the company's marketing efforts over time to be more customer-focused and data-driven.

Headquartered in New York and launched in 2018, Camp combines retail with themed hands-on experiences. It currently has six locations, including four in New York City.

Its newest outpost, which it opened in July, is a two-story space at The Shops at Columbus Circle in Manhattan. Camp also has stores at The SoNo Collection, Norwalk, Conn., and The Hill, Dallas. With some four locations set to open by yearend, the company expects to double its store count to approximately 20 locations by the end of 2022. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Chris to build a global brand that families everywhere will grow up with," said Camp CEO Ben Kaufman. "Chris spent 20 years building the HBO brand through strategies that drive obsession and ritualistic behavior, and that is exactly what is needed to build a global retail business in the 21st century… Also, he likes to have fun. And we're kinda fun." 

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When I walked through 'the magic door' for the first time, I was blown away by the uniquely immersive experience that Ben and his team have created for kids and families," said Spadaccini. "I can't think of a more noble brand purpose than enriching family life through play and joy, and I'm thrilled to be joining Camp as it enters this exciting phase of growth and rapid store expansion."