From Unilever to ASSOS: A Fresh Perspective on Cycling Marketing with CMO Claire Deschamps

Claire Deschamps is the CMO of Assos, and she brings a refreshing outsider's perspective to the cycling world. After spending a decade at consumer goods giants like Unilever and Colgate, this French marketing exec—who's called Mexico, Rome, and now Switzerland home—joined Assos nearly three years ago to help the premium apparel brand navigate a rapidly shifting landscape.In our conversation, Claire shares how marketing has changed dramatically—it's no longer about brands talking at consumers, but about letting communities, ambassadors, and athletes become the voice of the brand. She opens up about how Assos is honoring its 50-year heritage while reaching new riders: women, gravel enthusiasts, and the wave of newcomers who discovered cycling during COVID. Plus, she reveals how digging into consumer data helped bust some long-held assumptions about who's actually buying premium cycling apparel.Read the latest 'The Business of Cycling' BlogSign up for 'The Business of Cycling' NewsletterRead the latest 'The Business of Cycling' BlogSign up for 'The Business of Cycling' Newsletter