Wolverine Worldwide today named Todd Yates president of its Wolverine and Hytest brands. In this newly formed role, Yates will be responsible for developing and implementing all integrated sales, marketing and product strategies for the brands in alignment with Wolverine Worldwide’s key growth initiatives for its portfolio of dynamic lifestyle brands.
On the heels of its successful pop-up shop venture last year, heritage work brand Wolverine will open a permanent store at 256 Elizabeth Street in New York’s hip Nolita nabe at the end of July. The shop will offer a curated selection of goods that shares the brand’s commitment to quality, heritage and craftmanship.
When Wolverine Worldwide decided to add a women’s collection to its heritage-inspired 1000 Mile label, the 130-year-old men’s boot brand was eager to approach it from a different angle than men’s, and it wasn’t long before Brooklyn-based fashion designer Samantha Pleet made it onto the company’s radar. Known for her whimsical clothing, Wolverine knew Pleet’s mystical-meets-modern design aesthetic would translate perfectly into footwear. Now four seasons in, the latest collection includes five new styles and the design team is already putting together ideas for Spring ’15.
Short film “Arcadia” featuring Samantha Pleet’s Spring 2014 collection and Wolverine 1000 Mile by Samantha Pleet shoes premiered last night at the Wolverine Company Store in New York’s hip Nolita nabe. Directed by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Maximilla Lukacs, and narrated by Tennessee Thomas, the Darwin-inspired film is a dreamlike exploration of the universal quest for an ideal paradise; a sort of Eden. Click here to watch the film.
Two Ten Footwear Foundation has elected two new officers and six new members to its 2014-2015 Board of Directors. Leading the new board will be Chairman Blake Krueger, CEO and president of Wolverine Worldwide, and Vice-Chair Diane Sullivan, president and CEO of Brown Shoe Company. New board members include David Bensadoun of Aldo, Timberland’s Patrik Frisk, Dave Grange of Lacoste, Scott Meden from Nordstrom, Liz Rodbell of The Hudson’s Bay Company, and Shoe Carnival’s Clifton Sifford.
Saucony, Merrell and Bates could soon have their logos on more military members’ feet across the country. Thanks to a policy shift announced by Pentagon officials last week, new active duty soldiers entering boot camp will be supplied with American-made athletic footwear when using a voucher given to them by the government to purchase shoes for training purposes. The rule change is in response to years of pressure from U.S.
Wolverine Worldwide and its Merrell brand have been honored with two key awards from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of American (FDRA). The company received the Advocate of the Year award, while Merrell was chosen as the inaugural winner of the Brand Focus award, a new award given to the brand deemed “most-loved” by scoring the highest brand loyalty among footwear consumers in the United States.
Wolverine Worldwide has announced several organizational changes in an effort to strengthen its senior leadership team and accelerate global growth. James D. Zwiers, who has held significant roles during his 16 years with the company, has been appointed president of the international group. James A. Gabel, most recently president of Adidas Group Canada, will succeed Zwiers as president of the performance group, which is comprised of the Merrell, Saucony, Chaco, Cushe and Patagonia brands.
That’s a wrap. Wolverine Worldwide Chairman and retired CEO, Blake Krueger, will be retiring from the board on May 4, 2023. Tom Long, the Board’s
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