Hall to head up Royal Velvet branding

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/19/2004 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK — Industry veteran John Hall has been named vice president of brand development at Group Three Design, the brand management firm handling licensing of Royal Velvet and Cannon. He will head up the Royal Velvet branding initiative, which involves multiple licensees, including Li & Fung for bedding and bath products.

Licensees for bath rugs and basic bedding have not yet been named. Royal Velvet will be directed into the upscale and better stores segment of the home furnishings market for the first time, according to Group Three.

Hall reports to Mary Gleason, president/CEO and founder of Group Three Design.

Most recently Hall was senior vice president of marketing and sales for the department and specialty stores retail segment at Dan River. During his 12-year tenure at the company, he was also the point man for all better marketing and non-juvenile licensed brand programs. In addition, Hall was involved in managing the company's Alexander Julian, Lily Pulitzer, D. Porthault and Nautica licensed businesses.

Hall began his home furnishings career in 1981 as a sales representative for the consumer products division of WestPoint Pepperell, then advanced through various levels in the sales, marketing and merchandising organization. In 1990, Hall left the company as vice president of merchandising for bed products, to join the new management team at Dan River.