Stride Rite to be the Exclusive Licensee of Jessica Simpson Branded
Footwear for the Tween Market
TOPEKA, Kan., and GREENWICH, Conn., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
The Stride Rite Children's Group of Collective Brands Inc. and the Camuto
Group have entered into an exclusive multi-year global licensing agreement
in which Stride Rite Children's Group will design, develop, manufacture and
distribute a line of footwear for the tween market for the Jessica Simpson
Brand.
Debuting Holiday 2008, the collection will consist of both current
Jessica Simpson women's styles executed in youth sizes, as well as
youth-specific silhouettes. Channels of distribution will include major
department stores, as well as specialty retailers nationwide including
Stride Rite stores.
"Jessica Simpson's charisma, style and values make her a role model and
inspiration to women and girls across America," said Pam Salkovitz,
president of Stride Rite Children's Group. "We look forward to taking the
brand into the girls' market as part of a key strategy to expand beyond our
core target and are thrilled to add the Jessica Simpson brand to our
expanding portfolio."
"We are extremely excited to expand the Jessica Simpson brand into the
tween footwear arena," said Vince Camuto, chief executive officer of the
Camuto Group. "Stride Rite is the ideal partner for this venture as they
have the broadest depth of knowledge and expertise in this market."
The Stride Rite Children's Group, part of the Stride Rite unit of
Collective Brands, Inc., markets the leading brand of premium children's
footwear in the United States under such brands as Stride Rite, Saucony
Kids, Born Kids and Sperry Top-Sider Kids, among others. For over 85 years,
the company has designed and engineered footwear specifically to meet the
needs of growing children.
Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is the consumer-centric global
footwear, accessories and lifestyle brand company, reaching customers
through multiple price points and selling channels. Collective Brands, Inc.
is the holding company of Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite and Collective
Licensing International. Information about, and links for shopping on, each
of the Collective Brand's units can be found at
http://www.collectivebrands.com.
The Camuto Group is a leading organization for design, development and
distribution of women's fashion footwear and is renowned for its ability to
build women's lifestyle brands on a global scale. Camuto Group products are
sold in over 5400 doors worldwide. The Camuto Group is the owner of the
Vince Camuto and Arturo Chiang brands and is the master licensee for the
Jessica Simpson collection. The company also develops and manages the
Antonio Melani(R) and Gianni Bini(R) brands, and holds the footwear license
for BCBGirls(R), BCBG Max Azria(R) and Nicole Miller(R). The Camuto Group
holds a majority stake in Development by Erica Davies.
SOURCE Collective Brands, Inc.; Camuto Group
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Related links:
http://www.collectivebrands.com
CONTACT:
Rachel Panetta of Stride Rite,
+1-617-824-6469; or James Grant of Collective Brands, Inc.,
+1-785-559-5321; or Lisa Mitchell of The Camuto Group,
+1-646-898-1027
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