Global News

ABG APPOINT NEW VICE CHAIRMAN

Authentic Brands Group has announced the appointment of Matt O’Toole as Executive Vice Chairman. In his new role, O’Toole will work in tandem with ABG’s leadership team on new brand acquisitions, driving strategic initiatives, as well as supporting the expansion of Reebok. “We are thrilled to welcome Matt O’Toole to ABG’s leadership team,” said Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO, ABG. “Matt brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the footwear, apparel, equipment, and sports marketing business. For the last 15 years, he provided a clear vision for Reebok through some of its most historic and pivotal moments. As he steps into his new role at ABG, we look forward to utilizing Matt’s industry knowledge and expertise to drive Reebok and the ongoing development of other ABG brands to strategically maximize revenue opportunities across our business verticals.” At Reebok, O’Toole pioneered the brand’s return to its fitness and running roots and reshaped Reebok’s performance credibility with key franchises, including Nano, Zigtech and Floatride as well as many innovative partnerships and collaborations. More recently, O’Toole has led the Company’s “Unleashed” strategy. The strategy set a course for a post-adidas Reebok, focusing on Reebok’s athletic roots, and doubling down on the brand’s most iconic styles. As a result, Reebok is seeing unprecedented global growth, including a 40% U.S. market share gain.

ENGLISH HERITAGE EXPAND RANGES

Consumers hungry for authentic English design, food and recipes can now choose from a growing array of English Heritage products at retail thanks to listings secured by licensees Designers Guild, Made for Drink and Gardiners Fudge. The Designers Guild English Heritage Wallpaper and Fabric collection has announced it is in nationwide distribution with a selection of archive-inspired designs available in every John Lewis store, high end specialist interiors stores and through interior designers. Simon Jeffreys Designers Guild’s CEO explained that ‘because English Heritage appeals to consumers looking for design authenticity, we are seeing unprecedented interest from UK and international customers.” On the food front Waitrose, Fortnum & Mason, The Fat Duck Group and WH Smiths have listed Made for Drink’s English Heritage Truffle flavoured crisps whilst the limited edition Chip Shop Scraps & Fries are launching in 429 Sainsburys in September. Dan Featherstone of Made for Drink said, “We have found that retailers and consumers instinctively understand the connection between locally sourced ingredients and the English Heritage brand.” Finally, Gardiners traditional English Heritage fudge is launching in Welcome Break’s WH Smiths and duty-free retail providing a sweet reminder of traditional English recipes for travellers across the UK.

MELIA TEAMS UP WITH FALCON’S BEYOND

Meliá Hotels International and its joint venture partner Falcon’s Beyond have announced a new, leisure and entertainment-based resort brand, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá. The resorts will be featured within world-class entertainment destinations, to be branded Falcon’s Beyond Destinations, being jointly developed by the two companies in prime leisure markets across the globe. Leveraging Meliá’s 66 years of expertise in travel and hospitality and Falcon’s extensive experience as a fully integrated entertainment development company, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá will offer a unique “resortainment” hos-

pitality experience that will seamlessly blend premium resort amenities with extraordinary entertainment experiences in a way that’s casual sophisticated fun for everyone. The resorts will provide direct access to vibrant and curated dining, shopping, and entertainment venues as part of a larger destination experience. “We’ve built more than a decade-long business relationship with Meliá, beginning with our successful entertainment hospitality property in Mallorca, Spain. We are delighted now to be bringing a further enhanced version of that model to Punta Cana by year-end,” said Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO of Falcon’s Beyond.

VICTORIA BITTER GROOMING RANGE

Victoria Bitter is rewarding hard work in new ways with the launch of a brand-new grooming range, VB for Men. VB has brewed up a knock-off defining range featuring products designed to refresh, relax and restore after a hard day on the tools. With products containing freeze-dried VB, men around Australia can now reward much more than their thirst. Products include VB exfoliating scrub to wash away the dirt and grime from the worksite, VB bath frothy to soak hard working muscles and a VB face moisturiser to restore the skin after it has knocked off for the day.

TINDERBOX PARTNERS WITH ATARI

Kurt Geiger London has announced it has has joined forces with London’s transport network – Transport for London (TfL) – to launch a new collaborative collection of bags and other accessories over the next 18 months. The collaboration was brokered by TSBA Group, TfL’s global licensing agent. The initial ten-piece collection focuses on some of Kurt Geiger London’s most popular styles, featuring cardholders, a cross body, a structured tote and reworked versions of the bestselling ‘Multi Cross Body’ and iconic ‘Leather Kensington’ bags, replacing the brand’s signature rainbow with TfL’s prominent London Underground line colours. Jo Edwards, Head of Global Licensing, TSBA Group said: “London is one of the fashion capitals of the world; the marriage of these two intrinsically London brands is a perfect way to celebrate the colour and vibrancy of our capital city. It has been fabulous to work with Kurt Geiger as they’ve translated the TfL brand and heritage to some of their signature products. Development is already underway for the additional collections and these will celebrate other key elements of TfL’s network through stunning product design.” Rebecca Farrar-Hockley, Kurt Geiger’s Chief Creative Officer says: “The London Underground is so recognisable that it is easy to overlook just how iconic a design icon it is – it is a key part of all our lives and I wanted to create a collection suitable for busy daily London lives but with the Tube’s colours and symbols as the core design theme. Kurt Geiger is powered by London’s fast-paced and forward-facing energy, and this new collaboration with TfL is the ultimate show of that unity; a true homage to the place we call home. The London Underground connects Londoners and everyone who comes here; it is the heartbeat of our city, enabling exploration and adventure. It was therefore a true thrill to be able to connect with TfL on this collection celebrating our mutual love for our capital.”

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