Skullcandy names Nike's Hoby Darling CEO

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- Headphones maker Skullcandy Inc. said Monday that it hired Nike executive Hoby Darling as its president and CEO.

Darling was the general manager for Nike Inc.'s Nike+ digital sport unit. Skullcandy said Monday that its board wanted to move quickly to address the company's needs after Jeremy Andrus stepped down as president and CEO in February.

Skullcandy makes headphones and decorative iPod cases and T-shirts, all emblazoned with a skull logo. Its products are sold in electronics, sporting goods and mobile phone stores, as well as online and through mass retailers like Target and Best Buy. Like other personal electronics and accessories makers, Skullcandy has had to deal with increasing competition and the changing preferences of finicky consumers.

The company said on Feb. 7 that Andrus had decided to leave to join a private investment firm. Company founder and director Rick Alden, a former CEO, became interim CEO.

Shares of Skullcandy rose 7 cents to close at $5.33 and added 23 cents, or 4.3 percent, to $5.56 in aftermarket trading. The stock began trading in July 2011 at $20 per share.