IMC Announces ThinkFire Acquisition; Expands Management Team
IMC Licensing announced that it is expanding its management team and broadening the agency’s capabilities with its acquisition of ThinkFire Trademark Licensing, which was discussed at Licensing Show in June. Carla Dearing has been appointed CEO.
Upon acquiring ThinkFire Trademark Licensing, a New Jersey-based brand licensing and advisory firm, veteran brand strategists Drew Kastner and Boris Peres, Ph.D. joined IMC Licensing as managing directors, effective June 1, 2011. Both will remain based in New Jersey. Dearing, former Morgan Stanley executive and an active IMC Licensing board member since 2003, joined the agency as managing director and CEO as of July 1, 2011.
DirecSource Acquires Centricity, Hires Ring COO
DirecSource, a global sourcing and manufacturing services provider, announced the acquisition of Centricity Industrial Solutions, Inc., and has appointed Ed Ring to the position of COO. The acquisition of Centricity Industrial Solutions provides DirecSource with disciplined channel focus while helping to improve backend operations.
Ring, who founded Centricity, brings more than 20 years of manufacturing and supply chain experience to DirecSource working in entrepreneurial positions as well as with fortune 500 Companies such as 3M.
As COO, Ring will look to align DirecSource with specific market channels and seek opportunities for DirecSource within the company’s three core business channels which include, Sports and Fitness (including the outdoor and team channels), Medical and Healthcare as well as Toys and Novelties.
“DirecSource is truly a diamond in the rough,” said Ring. “They offer complete supply chain services, all in house, from material sourcing and production management, to logistics, warehousing, shipping, and fulfillment. Because we do it all, we offer some of the most competitive pricing in the industry and have an unmatched service and delivery record,” he said.
DirecSource is a U.S.-based company with offices in Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles.
NY Gift Fair Appoints New Board Members
The New York International Gift Fair announced that Thompson Lange of Homescapes Carmel and David Gooding of Juliska are joining the seven-member Advisory Board effective with this week’s summer 2011 market.
Comprised of both attendees and exhibitors, the board meets semi-annually with show management to offer strategic feedback related to the gift and home market in general and about the NYIGF in particular.
Thompson Lange is the co-owner and buyer for Homescapes Carmel, one of his two home furnishings and garden stores offering indoor and outdoor furnishings with an emphasis on imported merchandise. The Carmel-on-the-Sea, Calif., location has recently undergone expansion and renovation. Lange is a contributing writer and retail advisory board member for several local and national magazines, as well as a frequent lecturer and panelist for retail industry events.
David Gooding is the founder of Juliska, a manufacturer and retailer of fine tabletop products, including glassware, ceramics, flatware, linens, and lighting, which reflect European heritage. Gooding, a native of England, and his designer wife, Capucine, launched Juliska in 2001, and opened a flagship store in Stamford, CT, in 2004.
Current Advisory Board members are:
Enrico Bressan of Artecnica, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.
John Gilvey of Hudson Beach Glass, Poughguag, N.Y.
Walter Lowry of TableArt, Los Angeles, Calif.
Sallie Stutz of the Brooklyn Museum Shop, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dawn Sweitzer of Notre Monde, Columbus, Ohio