Global Brands Group

Global Brands Group Holding Limited (Chinese: 利標品牌有限公司) is a branded apparel, footwear and fashion accessories company. It designs, develops, markets and sells products under a diverse array of owned and licensed brands and a wide range of product categories on a global scale.^[1]

The company sells branded products under Kids, Men's and Women's Fashion, and Footwear and Accessories verticals. The products are sold across multiple geographies and through various distribution channels, including department stores, hypermarkets/clubs, off-price retailers, independent chains, specialty retailers and e-commerce. While Global Brands' business is primarily wholesale, the Group also makes strategic investment in direct-to-consumer retail and e-commerce where appropriate.

In addition to operating the three verticals for product categories, the company is engaged in Brand Management. As a brand manager and agent for both brand owners and celebrities, the company offers expertise in expanding its clients' brand assets into new product categories, new geographies and retail collaborations.

The company has licences for brands including Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Guess, Under Armour, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, as well as cartoon, film and game characters, including properties from Disney and other major entertainment franchises.^[2] The company also either owns or has significant control on brands such as Frye, Juicy Couture, Spyder, Aquatalia, David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Jones New York, Rachel Zoe, Buffalo David Bitton, Joe's, Rosetti, Tignanello, and Kathy van Zeeland.^[3]

In June 2016, Global Brands Group announced a joint venture with Creative Artists Agency for its brand management business called CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group (CAA-GBG). CAA-GBG works with brand owners, retailers, and manufacturing partners to engage new consumers by extending brands into new geographies and product categories. Through this brand management business, the company manages brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, and Coca-Cola, as well as celebrities including Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Lopez. ^[4]

Background

The history of Global Brands Group can be traced back to 2005 when Li & Fung Limited established a wholesale business focusing on private label and branded apparel in order to broaden its relationships with existing and new retailer customers. On 4 December 2013, in preparation for the spin-off from Li & Fung and Listing, Global Brands Group was incorporated in Bermuda. On 13 December 2013, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Li & Fung.^[2]

On 9 July 2014, Global Brands Group was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by way of introduction as a result of a spin-off from Li & Fung. Its business is now separate and independent from Li & Fung's trading and logistics businesses.^[2]

On 3 December 2014, Global Brands, together with David Beckham and his long time business partner Simon Fuller announced the launch of a joint venture to drive the continued development of the Beckham brand in new consumer product categories.^[5]

On 15 June 2016, Global Brands announced a joint venture with Creative Artists Agency for its brand management business called CAA-GBG, which instantly became the world's largest brand management company.^[4][6]

On 7 September 2016, Global Brands announced a new joint venture with Katy Perry to grow the Katy Perry brand into new consumer product categories with footwear being the first category to launch.^[7]

Management

• William Fung: Chairman and Non-Executive Director
• Bruce Philip ROCKOWITZ: Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman and Executive Director
• Jason Andrew RABIN: President, North America
• Dow Peter FAMULAK: President, Europe, Asia and Brand Management
• Paul Edward SELWAY-SWIFT: Independent Non-Executive Director
• Stephen Harry LONG: Independent Non-Executive Director
• Hau Leung LEE: Non-Executive Director
• Allan ZEMAN: Independent Non-Executive Director
• Audrey WANG LO: Independent Non-Executive Director
• Ann Marie SCICHILI: Independent Non-Executive Director
• Ronald VENTRICELLI: Chief Financial Officer
• Jason YEUNG Chi Wai: Group Chief Compliance and Risk Management Officer

References