NexCen Brands, Inc. and the Camuto Group Announce the Acquisition of The Shoe Box, Inc. Trademarks and a Partnership Plan to Franchise Stores Worldwide
Camuto Enters Into Licensing Agreement to Produce Bill Blass Women's Footwear
| Source: NexCen Brands, Inc.
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - November 19, 2007) - NexCen Brands, Inc. ("NexCen") (NASDAQ : NEXC )
announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of the trademarks and
other intellectual property of The Shoe Box, Inc. in partnership with the
Camuto Group. The Shoe Box, Inc. is a multi-brand luxury shoe retailer
based in New York. Utilizing the expertise of NexCen Franchise Management,
NexCen's Atlanta-based franchising division, and the design and development
talent of the Camuto Group, a premier women's fashion footwear company, the
companies intend to franchise The Shoe Box's luxury footwear concept
domestically and internationally. NexCen and the Camuto Group will seek to
roll out in excess of 500 of The Shoe Box stores globally, providing women
with high-end fashion footwear and accessories. The Shoe Box will allow
the Camuto Group to prominently feature brands from their broad portfolio.
NexCen has also entered into a 30-year licensing agreement with the Camuto
Group to develop women's footwear for all categories of NexCen's luxury
brand, Bill Blass. The franchise platform will also provide the ideal
vehicle for the Camuto Group to create product for Bill Blass as a key
component of The Shoe Box strategy. Building on the strength of the iconic
brand, the Camuto Group will design, manufacture and distribute the luxury
women's footwear for NexCen.
"This partnership creates the first fully vertically integrated property in
our brand portfolio," commented Robert W. D'Loren, President and CEO of
NexCen. "Through this partnership, we shall control brand marketing,
development, retail franchising and manufacturing through our partner, the
Camuto Group, providing us with a unique opportunity to build value for our
Bill Blass brand. Additionally, we provide NexCen franchise owners
worldwide with the opportunity to invest in a new footwear retailing model
-- the first international multi-brand luxury footwear chain."
Partnering with the Camuto Group allows NexCen to offer franchise owners
inventory from the most prolific design, manufacturing and development
resource in women's fashion footwear. Founded in 2001 by Vince Camuto,
the co-founder and former CEO of the Nine West Group, Inc., the Camuto
Group offers preeminent brands including Jessica Simpson, BCBG Max Azria,
BCBGirls, Vince Camuto and Arturo Chiang.
Vince Camuto stated, "We are thrilled by our new partnership with NexCen.
Their track record of building successful premium brands and growing them
on a global basis makes NexCen a strong partner. In addition, the
opportunity to add Bill Blass to the stable of the Camuto Group brands is
the perfect complement to our existing success and growth in the
marketplace. Finally, The Shoe Box stores will be a perfect way to
introduce the new Bill Blass line to the consumer."
The owner of The Shoe Box, Inc., Richard Kirschenbaum, will become a
partner in the joint venture and will also take on a consulting role with
NexCen to assist in marketing the new franchise concept, merchandising and
training franchise owners.
"We are delighted to be working with NexCen Brands, a world leader in
footwear franchising, to grow our operation," commented Mr. Kirschenbaum.
"NexCen and the Camuto Group are the ideal brand-building partners. From
manufacturing to distribution, merchandising to marketing, they have the
broadest depth of knowledge and expertise of any players in the industry."
About NexCen Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ : NEXC ) (www.nexcenbrands.com)
NexCen Brands, Inc. is the premier 21st century vertically integrated
global brand acquisition and management company focused on assembling a
diversified portfolio of intellectual property-centric companies operating
in the consumer branded products and franchise industries. The Company
owns, licenses, franchises and markets a growing portfolio of consumer and
franchise brands including The Athlete's Foot®, Bill Blass®,
MaggieMoo's®, Marble Slab Creamery®, Pretzel Time®, and
Pretzelmaker®, The Shoe Box and Waverly®. The Company licenses and
franchises its brands to a network of leading retailers, manufacturers and
franchisees that includes every major segment of retail distribution from
the luxury market to the mass market in the U.S. and in over 50 countries
around the world, and consists of more than 1,500 franchised stores.
NexCen, through its information technology, franchisee support systems and
advertising, marketing and public relations team, markets its brands to
continually drive greater consumer awareness and brand equity for each of
its brands. NexCen touches nearly every aspect of a consumer's lifestyle
from the food they eat to the furnishings in their homes and the clothes
and footwear they purchase.
About the Camuto Group
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® and Gianni Bini® brands, and holds the footwear license
for BCBGirls®, BCBG Max Azria® and Nicole Miller®.
About The Shoe Box, Inc.
The Shoe Box, Inc. is a leading retailer of designer women's footwear,
handbags, and accessories. The company is committed to setting and
maintaining a high standard of sophisticated product selection, data driven
merchandising, advanced training systems, and a customer-centric selling
system. Family owned and operated since 1954, the company began as a
single store in Plainview, Long Island, and today is a renowned specialty
store shoe boutique with eight locations throughout the Long Island and New
York City area and one location in Boca Raton, Florida. It has always been
the frontrunner in providing outstanding customer care while offering the
latest fashions from top European and American designers such as Stuart
Weitzman, D&G, Giuseppe Zanotti, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Casadei, Salvatore
Ferragamo, and Michael Kors. The company carries footwear ranging from
boots and sandals to evening and bridal shoes. It also carries designer
handbags to match any outfit and occasion.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as such term is
used in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such
forward-looking statements include those regarding expectations for the
development of our business, expectations for the performance of the joint
venture to franchise The Shoe Box concept, and expectations for the
performance of our licensees and franchisees in connection therewith. When
used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend,"
"may," "will," "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the
Company or its management are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations
and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. They are not
guarantees of future performance or results. The Company's actual results,
performance or achievements could differ materially from the results
expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to such differences include: (1) we are still in
the early stages of building our IP business and may not be successful in
implementing our business strategy, (2) we may not be successful in
developing, operating, licensing or franchising The Shoe Box concept or in
integrating it into our IP business strategy, (3) we face risks associated
with marketing, licensing and franchising the trademark and other
intellectual property acquired from The Shoe Box, Inc.; (4) we depend on
the success of our licensees and franchisees for future growth; (5) we face
risks associated with the ability of franchisees to successfully market and
sell under through The Shoe Box concept, and (6) other factors discussed in
our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NexCen undertakes
no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.