Ayre was born in Litherland and spent three years as chairman and chief executive of Huddersfield Town, nogotiating TV rights for Football League clubs.
"This is a real 'local boy comes home' story and one of our key summer signings too," Hicks told the Echo.
"We conducted a global search which turned up over a dozen very high quality candidates. George and I both interviewed - together and separately - probably half a dozen apiece.
"It was real clear to us that Ian was the perfect choice, both from his background in sponsorship and new media and also in what we plan to do in Asia.
"But most importantly Ian was the right choice because of his passion for the team, the community and the city. When you roll it all up together he's going to be a very important executive for many years to come."
"Ian is going to have to create a whole new commercial organisation that will encompass ticketing, sponsorship, and which encompasses our traditional media and new media, our press relations and customer services. These are areas where we are going to have focus.
"Ian's enthusiasm impressed us - he's a real entrepreneur and he's had success. He didn't go to a fancy school - he grew up in Liverpool and went to a neighbourhood academy.
"I think our fans will love him. We are taking one step at a time. I feel very good about where we are, having signed this summer our key players. Now we have added to our commercial strength.
"Ian's challenge is to do for the Liverpool brand on a global basis what we have been achieving for years on the pitch."