GATOR GROUP TO RELAUNCH LEGENDARY APPAREL BRAND ACA JOE
Casualwear Brand Stages Comeback with Worldwide Licensing Program
DANA POINT, CA February 23, 2010 — Gator Group (G8R, LLC), a brand management agency headquartered in Dana Point, California, announced today that it will represent ACA JOE as the brand’s global licensing agency. Founded by Joseph Rank in the early 1970’s, ACA JOE was born on the beaches of Mexico and rapidly evolved into a popular retail destination offering colorful menswear and lifestyle-inspired apparel for women, juniors and boys. Gator Group plans to continue the brand’s legacy by launching a worldwide licensing and marketing program, writing a new chapter in the brand’s history.
ACA JOEoffers well-crafted garments at an affordable price to today’s “world-wise” consumer. Fusing together the free spirited style of youth culture and effortless, classic designs, ACA JOE has unique appeal to contemporary consumers.
“Few brands can offer a quality and value promise without compromising style,” said Geoff Rosenhain, Founder and CEO of Gator Group. “ACA JOE’s classic style is simultaneously relevant and fresh. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to ensure the continued growth and expansion of this timeless brand.”
Joseph Rank originated the idea for ACA JOE in the early 1970’s, pioneering the printed t-shirt craze in Los Angeles and supplying shirts to celebrities like The Rolling Stones and Elton John. By 1973, ACAPULCO JOE stores began opening in the beach resorts of Mexico, later evolving into a full-fledged sportswear brand, manufacturing pants, shorts, jackets and more with 1,000+ employees in Mexico.
Within only a few years, ACA JOE stores began cropping up across Mexico resulting in the opening of 50+ stores in resorts and urban centers recognized for their architecture and unique retailing concept.
By 1984, ACA JOE expanded to the United States and other markets, first opening a flagship store in San Francisco’s prominent Union Square which was met with frenzied shopper reception. ACA International became the fastest rising stock on NASDAQ and the company was featured in the year-end issues of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. ACA JOE Stores spread like wildfire across the globe with an additional 100+ stores opening worldwide within a two year period. The multi-departmental approach of ACA JOE’s merchandising, grouping like products in segmented areas of the store floor plan, revolutionized the industry and inspired the format of some of the most successful apparel retailers in the world today.
In the 1990’s, ACA JOE was featured in the most exclusive department store in Mexico, El Palacio de Hierro, with sales greater than all of the major men’s sportswear brands combined. As efforts re-shifted back to the brand’s core business in Mexico, ACA JOE closed its US Stores and the company operated the brand’s 50+ flagship stores and department store corners throughout Mexico with an average $600 per sq. ft. in sales annually. In 2003, the brand expanded its distribution further in Mexico, opening distribution into Liverpool Department Stores.
ACA Brands for men, women, juniors and boys has been available at Comercial Mexicana since 2006.
“When I created this brand nearly 40 years ago, I had the idea of developing quality apparel with appeal for everyone; inspired by the culture and lifestyle of Mexico’s coastal community of Acapulco,” stated ACA JOE Founder and President, Joseph Rank. “Today, I am thrilled to continue the expansion of our brand with new partners, new products and new inspiration; maintaining our promise of quality and style for all.”
Gator Group’s licensing strategy for ACA JOE will continue the heritage of the brand in apparel and related products throughout the world. Gator Group has announced that it is now developing new, unique retailing concepts including direct-to-retail (DTR) programs and partnerships with manufacturers in a broad spectrum of product categories including Apparel, Accessories, Eyewear, Footwear and more.
“I am impressed with Gator Group’s enthusiasm and vision for ACA JOE as a globally viable lifestyle brand,” said Rank, “It is a great time to offer style at a reasonable price. It is a great time for the world to meet ACA JOE.”
Gator Group is also the worldwide licensing agent for renowned fashion brand Paul Frank Industries, publishing phenomenon and style icon Emily the Strange and golf-inspired women’s lifestyle brand, birdie. With Headquarters in Dana Point, California and offices in Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, Gator Group staff includes a powerful senior executive team from a diverse cross-section of industries including fashion, entertainment, advertising and product development.
About Gator Group
Launched in 2009 by Australian entrepreneur Geoff Rosenhain, Gator Group has quickly grown into a full-service licensing agency offering the unique combination of seasoned licensing executives coupled with expertise in product design and manufacturing. Gator Group provides a wide range of services for a focused group of strategic corporate partners as well as wholly owned brands. The company shares equity in and manages the worldwide licensing for fashion lifestyle brand, birdie, and is the global licensing agent for renowned fashion brand Paul Frank Industries as well as style icon and publishing phenomenon Emily the Strange. Also an electronics accessories licensee, the company manufactures and markets a range of protective cases for Apple iPods, iPhones and laptops with distribution worldwide. Gator Group is headquartered in Dana Point, California with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Paris. For additional information please visit http://www.gatorgroup.com.
About ACA JOE Established in Mexico in 1974 by t-shirt manufacturer Joseph Rank, ACA JOE offered an innovative approach to product and retail design, opening over 150+ destinations recognized for their architecture and unique retailing concept in resorts and urban centers throughout Mexico, the United States and other markets at the height of its popularity. In 1984, ACA International became the fastest rising stock on NASDAQ and the company was featured in the year-end issues of The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. In the 1990’s, ACA JOE brands were featured in the prominent El Palacio de Hierro Department Store (with sales greater than all of the major men’s sportswear brands combined) and in its 50+ concept stores in resorts and urban centers throughout Mexico. The brand expanded its distribution in Mexico in the millennium, opening distribution into Liverpool Department Stores. ACA Brands for Men, Women, Juniors and Boys has been available at Comercial Mexicana since 2006 with plans for worldwide expansion in 2010 and beyond. For additional information, please visit http://acajoe.com/.
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Marissa Florindi
Dan Klores Communications
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