Above The Rim Announces Partnership With ACI International
ACI to Serve as Primary U.S. Licensee and Introduce Above The Rim Performance Footwear Collection
ENGLEWOOD, CO, Jun 01, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Above The Rim (ATR), a performance basketball brand managed by Collective Licensing International (CLI), announced today that it has entered into a five-year licensing agreement with ACI International (ACI) for the brand. ACI will work with ATR on a new collection of performance basketball footwear, with a limited fall collection available in Oct. 2010, and a wider collection targeting Spring 2011. The line will include both team product designed for everyday play and signature styles designed with Above The Rim's professional athletes.
Above The Rim, founded in 1989 as the original "player's brand," is being re-launched this year by CLI with a fresh, contemporary new brand position focused on the next generation of young, exciting basketball players that truly "rise above" challenges both on and off of the court. ATR recently announced the signing of rising NBA player Martell Webster, shooting guard for the Portland Trailblazers, who will work hand-in-hand with ATR and ACI to design and launch his own signature Above The Rim basketball style.
"The entire team here at ACI is excited to be working on Above The Rim with Collective Licensing International," said Steven Jackson, ACI's CEO. "The brand has always represented progressive design and performance and we very much look forward to reinforcing this heritage as we re-launch the brand with our partners at Collective."
The partnership between CLI and ACI represents the confluence of CLI's best in class brand building capabilities in the youth lifestyle market and ACI's expertise in the development of innovative, performance-based athletic footwear.
"ACI has a deep understanding of the consumers, market trends and latest technologies within the basketball segment," said Bruce Pettet, President and CEO at Collective Licensing International. "With their proven product development and strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities we're thrilled to partner with them as our primary licensee in the U.S. on the re-launch of footwear for the Above The Rim brand."
About Collective Licensing International, LLC Collective Licensing International, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS), was formed in January 2004 and is the owner and/or license operator of Airwalk(R), Above The Rim(R), Vision Street Wear(R), Clinch Gear(TM), STRIKEFORCE(TM), Sims(R), Lamar(R) and LTD(R), World Snowboarding Championships(TM), genetic(R), Dukes(TM), Rage(R), Ultra-Wheels(R), and Hind(R). Collective Licensing International is based in Englewood, Colorado. www.collectiveintl.com
About ACI International Headquartered in Los Angeles, ACI International has been a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of men's, women's and children's footwear for more than forty years. Focused on building brands for long-term growth and stability, ACI International successfully designs and markets athletic as well as casual/fashion brands throughout all channels of retail distribution.
ACI is the owner/licensor of the LA Gear brand (footwear, apparel, accessories, etc) as well as the footwear licensee for such global brands as Original Penguin(R), Perry Ellis(R), Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville(R), and Shaquille O'Neal's Shaq(R) and Dunkman(R), as well as the children's footwear license for such well respected entertainment and toy companies as Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. and Mattel.
Media Contact: Shannon Woodard 303-761-1345 x27
SOURCE: Collective Brands, Inc.