Cotton's Livingston to Retire

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/13/2006 12:00:00 AM

New York —

Ira Livingston, a 30-year veteran of Cotton Inc. and currently senior vp of consumer communications, will retire on Jan. 1, 2007.

Livingston, who is responsible for trade, consumer and retail communications, was one of the key players in growing the Seal of Cotton awareness to an 80-plus percentage recognition, and in driving market share from 34% 30 years ago compared with synthetic fibers, to nearly a reverse of that ratio.

He also played a significant role in the development of the promotion of upland cotton on a global basis. "We knew early on that cotton had to go global," said Livingston. As vp of marketing, he opened the first Cotton office in London and oversaw activities there and of similar outposts in Asia.

"Ira has been an invaluable asset to the company and to the cotton and textile industries," said Berrye Worsham, president and ceo of Cotton. "We will miss his knowledge and insight, his wit and wisdom."