 Responsible for managing and working with 60 licensees in diverse categories to maximize brand presence and grow sales volume for JA Collection, JA White Label, JOE Joseph Abboud and Joseph Abboud Home in multi-tier distribution channel.  Communicate with all levels of management in merchant community at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macys, Lord & Taylor, JCP, Men’s Wearhouse,  Responsible for pitching new product categories and driving sales in partnership with licensees. Collaborate with Creative Director and design team to ensure all product development is in line with brand standards to maintain brand integrity and consistent brand message. Analyze retail sales performance of each category and report to senior management on timely basis. Partner with VP of Global Licensing to research new potential licensing opportunities. Coordinate with Marketing, Public Relations and Sales Departments to develop exciting marketing initiatives for brand and product launches. Business liaison between retailers, product managers and design teams ensuring synergy and communication with regard to product development and time & action calendars. Develop presentations for management meetings and quarterly board of director meetings.

Created and developed company's PR campaign and developed image & branding tools for men's and women's sportswear and furnishings including : lookbooks, press kits, press releases, photo shoots, website content, media plans & press pitches, product placement & brand sponsorshipsOversaw design and development of ecommerce enabled website and developed social media initiatives & web based pr platforms.Responsible for all press and publicity initiatives; aggressive outreach & pitches to Digital/Online, Newspaper, Magazine, TV, Film, Radio vehiclesNegotiated and managed advertising plans for both national and regional budgetsSolicited & Negotiated network wardrobe sponsorships with NBC, ESPN, MLB NetworkCoordinated/garnered Celebrity & VIP wardrobe & product placement in TV & film including Desperate Housewives, Celebrity Apprentice, American Idol, Red Carpet Awards shows and many othersPlanned, managed and coordinated in-store national and regional events per season with media exposure. Negotiated and controlled retailer coop advertising initiatives and in-store collateral - Forum Group, DLS, Senate Group, etc as well as corporate media budget.Liaison to International media and distributors; Liaison to numerous Licensees & International Offices and Distributors; coordinating communications, media and special events to ensure a consistent global brand image.

Reported to the President - Strategized and managed all Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations efforts - including creative & budgetary - for multi brand corporation with portfolio of owned, licensed & private label brands ranging from Luxury to Moderate.Owned Brands: Arnold Brant (luxury), Ben Sherman (contemporary), Billy London (moderate)Created and developed image & branding strategy for the 3 owned brands; photo shoots, direct mail programs, media plans, in-store events, sponsorships, Hollywood initiatives, press & publicity outreach to key editors & news outlets, developed website, press kits & developed/negotiated retailer coop initiatives, executed trade shows & showroom image concepts, created corporate identity collateral including logo's, labels, hangtags, business card/ stationery. Licensed Brands: Kenneth Cole, Nautica, Geoffrey Beene, Oscar de la RentaExecuted & managed marketing initiatives for each brand based on the individual brand strategies of the respective Licensor. Developed marketing & pr strategies specific to the brand, category and/or retailer. Key examples: In GB developed an in-store event at Macys tying into MLB resulting in a $100,000.00 donation to charity. In KC developed in-store personal appearance & national adv schedule; In Nautica developed consumer collateral specific to performance properties. Liaison to respective Licensor & Corporation with respect to Marketing budgets, strategies & long & short term plans & obligations.

Dual reporting relationship to the President and the Chairman. Responsibility was twofold - Coordinated all Corporate Communications for public parent company Hartmarx and its executives while driving marketing & public relations efforts specific to flagship brand Hart Schaffner Marx. Managed news releases and communications from the office of the chairman and chief counsel. Directed the re-invention of the 120 year old Hart Schaffner Marx brand.Developed new brand segments that target different psychographics and demographics.Updated corporate identity (logo, label, hangtag) creating a consistent brand image across categories including men's tailored clothing, dress furnishings and a new men's sportswear category...Drove all marketing efforts from concept through production that produce results - online & direct mail programs & POS promotions, entertainment & sports sponsorships, product placement and brand publicity.

Strategized, implemented, and directed all marketing efforts, successfully maximizing brand identity and awareness during progressive growth from $45 million to $125 million. Provided marketing direction to 18 licensees in 15 categories, including Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. Opened four retail stores.Managed multi million dollar marketing and advertising budget. Secured media and press coverage, generating widespread exposure from both a business and fashion point of view. Negotiated co-op advertising with senior management at key accounts including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's. Full responsibility for all photo shoots and media placement.Created a consistent brand image across categories including Menswear, Home, and Accessories.Strengthened and focused public relations and special events to more effectively promote the brand domestically and internationally.Solicited and negotiated network sponsorships with NBC, CBS, Fox, New Jersey Nets, and established wardrobe partnerships with VIP and entertainment community.Directed the marketing campaign for the launch of the first freestanding store in the Time Warner Building, including special events and collateral materials.Negotiated real estate for 45 in-store shops. Worked closely with store planners and architects on store design and planning, maximizing brand exposure and merchandising opportunities.Collaborated with web design firm on the creation and launch of the company's first web site. Developed a new corporate identity. Created logo, label, and hang tag.Conceptualized and produced direct mail and POS promotions for key retailers.Full responsibility for representing the company at international and domestic trade shows, including Magic, Pitti, and PGA.

Created and launched one of the first designer menswear coordinator programs. Worked with key retail accounts in sales training, product knowledge seminars, and merchandising standards Early ExperienceHeld a series of progressively responsible positions with two retailers, a wholesaler and a designer.