Chinook Trading has selected Mike Coogan, former VP of global marketing at Kamik, to launch a branded division.
Coogan, who will serve as president of the newly formed branded division at Chinook Trading, is launching a unique multi-brand strategy for the Spring 05 season, all being driven with a “less is more” design approach. Each brand is aimed at different types of outdoor-oriented consumers.

“One brand simply can’t address the variety of wants and needs of the casual lifestyle of today’s consumer. Each of our brands has its own niche to attract 20-45 year old men and women who are outdoor sport enthusiasts, or aspire to an outdoor, casual lifestyle”, said Coogan.

Utilizing Chinook’s sourcing and experience, Coogan said each branded line will be extremely focused and features innovative products aimed at enhancing one’s leisure time.

The three brands are:

  • Coho Pacific™: Inspired by our Oregon roots, it's a men's & women's brand with a flare for casual lifestyle footwear. Also part of Coho Pacific's Oregon-cachet are multisport and sport sandal styles – the look and “feel” of outdoor-active footgear for those that enjoy more moderate outdoor activity.
  • Ergo Outdoor™: A new generation of outdoor, casual-lifestyle footwear that specializes in “rising to the occasion” – whether that is during an invigorating off-road quest, or traveling on well-groomed planet surfaces. Drawn from design elements from cross-over SUVs, ERGO will offer truly different product in three segments for men & women: Outdoor Sport, Outdoor Recreation and Casual Lifestyle.

  • TrekSta® USA: Seriously capable foot equipment for the enthusiast to take on just about any outdoor adventure on earth. Features technology like “Zero Gravity” weightless bottoms, “Aeration” foot ventilation and Gore-Tex® waterproof membranes. Quality Backpack Boots, Multisport, Watersport and Sport Sandals are offered for men & women.

Coogan, who has a 30 year background in better grade branded footwear that includes stints with the Stride Rite Company, Sperry Top-Sider, Dunham and the Kamik brands, said that this multi-branded strategy will offer retailers specializing in outdoor performance and outdoor lifestyle footwear a distinct competitive advantage while also giving consumers a credible alternative to the status-quo with a new design perspective.