Clive, maker of stylized and innovative everyday bags, backpacks and accessories, today announced its plans to expand into the outdoor distribution channel to capitalize on the emerging youth lifestyle category. The Spring 2006 line will be unveiled at Outdoor Retailers Summer Market in Salt Lake City (August 11-14, 2005 in booth #3707).
Clive joins the spring 2006 outdoor market as a “new brand,” repositioned with an entirely new and uniquely stylized, design-oriented product line for the urban commuter, student, or traveler. Eagle Creeks Vice President of Sales; Michael Millenacker has been newly appointed to oversee the Clive business.
“We see new opportunity in the outdoor market particularly because lifestyle products and categories continue to capture significant market share. The new Clive positioning is something very different from a styling point of view, but done with quality and function you can count on,” said Millenacker. “With Clive and Eagle Creek, we provide our retail partners with the opportunity to approach two different customer groups through dealings with one company.”
Conveying smart, purposeful, and unique designs, Clive continues to position itself to meet the active lifestyle needs of younger generations. Clive focuses its 2006 offering on daily-use shoulder bags and backpacks with a particularly strong girls collection. In response to its early season previews, Clives new distinct aesthetic has struck a chord early, with key specialty outdoor and action sport retailers.
Early market feedback points to the lines new colorways, subtle and fun detailing, along with support for Clives new, cross-functional styles that migrate easily between urban transit and active outdoor lifestyles. Clives new bags and packs also include the inside sensibilities and quality construction of Eagle Creeks most popular and award-winning products, combined with a variety of carry configurations, integrated functional features for personal electronics transport compatibility, and built-in comfort, adjustability and durability attributes.
Millenacker credits renewed interest in Clive in large part to the new direction created by Clive Brand Director Roger Sgarbossa, who previously served as Creative and Marketing Director for Sugoi. “Rogers design influence and direction for the brand is giving us new energy to ensure the new Clive look is right for the outdoor market and current channel of distribution,” said Millenacker. Millenacker adds that Sgarbossa is also leading the development of the Clive design and marketing strategy.
Marketing support for the spring 2006 Clive offering includes full fixturing and point-of-sale solutions. Clive accounts will be managed by Eagle Creeks existing sales and customer service reps. Clive accounts also stand to benefit from Eagle Creeks production and delivery dependability.
Clive, a core active youth lifestyle brand of Eagle Creek, maker of adventure travel gear, luggage and travel accessories, first hit the action sports market in 1999. Clive sticks close to their roots based squarely in the heart of the action sports community; North County San Diego, California.
