Business people : FAMOUS STARS & STRAPS ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE TEAM

May 22, 2013 (Ontario, Calif.) — Famous Stars & Straps (“Famous”), the apparel and accessories brand established by musician and entrepreneur Travis Barker, has hired Bill Gage as the company’s President, effective immediately. Gage will be based out of the company’s Ontario, Calif. headquarters and will report to Barker.

Gage brings more than twenty years of apparel industry experience to Famous, and will be responsible for mapping out the brand’s domestic and international strategies, including efforts to expand retail partnerships and identify new marketing opportunities. Prior to this new role, Gage spearheaded the growth of Metal Mulisha and spent six years building the brand with Irvine-based licensing company, La Jolla Group. Earlier in his career, Gage served as the Vice President of Sales at Alpinestars, where he was instrumental in building the company’s apparel division.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work directly with Travis on repositioning Famous from where it currently sits in the market, rebuilding an effective and ‘user friendly’ sales and customer service staff, and enhancing retail relationships,” said Gage. “Famous Stars & Straps is one of the original streetwear brands and speaks to a very broad audience, given its strong association with music. There’s great potential for growth as a result and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level.”

Barker added: “I’m excited to see what the future holds for us and have extreme faith in this team, especially with the addition of Bill [Gage]. With his experience, relationships and leadership, this team is solid and focused as we look to the rest of 2013 and beyond.”

Gage has already made some key hires to the Famous Family, including Tyson Rossi as National Sales Manager. Rossi was voted “Sales Rep of the Year” by Transworld Business and has strong relationships with retailers. Luca Izzo was also added to serve as International Sales Manager for the brand. Izzo held the same role at La Jolla Group for four years before joining Famous, and has more than ten years of experience in the industry. These new additions join an already strong team, which includes Design Director Luis Antonio, who founded and ran Green Apple Tree Clothing for many years.

For more information on Famous Stars & Straps, visit the company’s Web site and Facebook page, and follow on Twitter (@FamousSAS) and Instagram (@FSAStagram).

About Famous Stars & Straps
Famous Stars & Straps was created by Travis Barker from the multi-platinum rock band Blink-182 in 1999. Influenced by punk rock and hip hop music, Famous and its stylized “F” logo – known as the “Badge of Honor” — is worn by respected musicians and athletes. With corporate headquarters based in Ontario, California, Famous designs and distributes t-shirts, jackets, accessories, hats and shoes for men and women across the globe. For more information, visit www.famoussas.com and stay up to date on all athlete and product news on the brand’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Source Press release Famous Stars and Straps