Stride Rite’s New SVP
The Stride Rite Children’s Group, a division of Topeka, Kan.-based Collective Brands Inc., has named Matt Feiner to the post of SVP of wholesale.
Feiner will lead SRCG’s wholesale division and its wholesale merchandise planning team in driving strategic growth for the group’s branded products both domestically and internationally. A longtime Reebok exec, Feiner most recently served as VP of U.S. merchandising, footwear and apparel for the athletic giant’s North American division.
Feiner’s previous Reebok positions include VP of global footwear and apparel for the kids’ division and group director of the Reebok sport essentials footwear division.
“Matt’s experience in children’s footwear, combined with his proven track record of bringing innovative new product concepts to life and his overall strategic leadership, will be a tremendous asset to the Stride Rite Children’s Group team,” Sharon John, president of SRCG, said in a statement.
Lisa Lankes Named VP at Justin
Lisa Lankes has been promoted to VP of communications, licensing and social media at Fort Worth, Texas-based bootmaker Justin Brands, the company announced this week.
Lankes, a 16-year company veteran, will continue to focus on marketing communications and licensing, as well as looking at the company’s use of social media tools. Participation in online networking channels offers a new direction for the firm (a division of Omaha, Neb.-based conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway), which has made use of Facebook, Twitter and MySpace with the launch of the Bent Rail product line last year.
“Lisa is someone who truly knows how to lead Justin Brands, with all its rich heritage, into a new, technology-driven culture,” Randy Watson, CEO of Justin Brands, said in a statement. “Not only has she proven herself time and time again in the communications and licensing arms of our business, but she has also embraced the potential of social media to build communities around our brands, and in turn, drive sales.”
