NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coach, Inc. (NYSE: COH, SEHK: 6288), a leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, today announced a further strengthening of its creative organization with two key appointments focused on elevating store environments globally.
Lew Frankfort, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coach, Inc., said, “The appointments of Zach Augustine and Erin Thompson to these newly created roles are the latest steps we’ve taken to broaden our capabilities to enhance the Coach experience through product, retail environments and integrated marketing communications. This comprehensive approach to our transformation to a lifestyle brand will add excitement and cachet to Coach.”
Zach Augustine will join Coach as EVP, Global Environments, effective March 11, 2013, reporting to Reed Krakoff. Mr. Augustine will lead initiatives across Visual Merchandising, Architecture and Creative Development partnering with the other leaders to create a consistent and cohesive brand story.
Mr. Augustine joins Coach from Nike, where he held the role of Global Creative Director – Direct-to-Consumer Experience. Prior to Nike, he was co-founder of Winston, a consulting firm that worked with clients on projects ranging from brand identity design to retail and showroom design, development and production. He started his career in visual merchandising at Giorgio Armani and worked in creative leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Diesel, Polo Jeans, Nautica and Levi Strauss before launching Winston.
Additionally, Erin Thompson will join Coach this spring as VP, Artistic Director, Global Environments. In this role, Ms. Thompson will oversee all creative development for windows, in-store, showrooms and events, reporting to Mr. Augustine. Ms. Thompson comes to Coach from Selfridges & Co., in London, where she most recently held the position of Head of Visual, having initially joined the company in 2002. Prior to Selfridges, Ms. Thompson spent twelve years at Mulberry in progressively senior visual merchandising roles.
Reed Krakoff, President and Executive Creative Director, added, “Our stores are our most important point of engagement with our customers - they allow us to showcase the world of Coach in its fullest expression. Both Zach and Erin have extensive and successful track records of creating impactful consumer experiences that will be instrumental in bringing our stores to the next level.”
The company appointed Sandra Hill, EVP Women’s Design who joined Coach in January 2013 with responsibility over all women’s product. Ms. Hill was credited with building out the Women’s business at Paul Smith Ltd., in London where she held increasingly more senior creative positions leading to her elevation to Creative/Design Director Womenswear in 2007, departing in 2011. During her 16 year tenure, she partnered with Paul and was responsible for leading the vision for Women’s across all categories including ready-to-wear and accessories.
Coach had previously appointed Jeffrey Uhl to his current position as SVP Men’s Design in September 2012. He originally joined Coach in July 2010 from Converse. Since joining Coach in 2010, Jeffrey has been instrumental in the transformation and tremendous growth of the Men’s business across all channels and geographies.
Coach, with headquarters in New York, is a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men, including handbags, men’s bags, women’s and men’s small leathergoods, weekend and travel accessories, footwear, watches, outerwear, scarves, sunwear, fragrance, jewelry and related accessories. Coach is sold worldwide through Coach stores, select department stores and specialty stores, and through Coach’s website at www.coach.com. Coach’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol COH and Coach’s Hong Kong Depositary Receipts are traded on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the symbol 6388.
Neither the Hong Kong Depositary Receipts nor the Hong Kong Depositary Shares evidenced thereby have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account of, a U.S. Person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act), absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Hedging transactions involving these securities may not be conducted unless in compliance with the Securities Act.
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," “ahead,” "estimate," "on track," “on course,” "are positioned to," "continue," "project," "guidance," “target,” "forecast," "anticipated," or comparable terms. Future results may differ materially from management's current expectations, based upon risks and uncertainties such as expected economic trends, the ability to anticipate consumer preferences, the ability to control costs, etc. Please refer to Coach’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete list of risk factors.