Management
Neil Cole is an innovator in the licensing and brand management industry and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Iconix Brand Group, Inc.
Cole began his career at El Greco, Inc., the footwear company that launched the globally recognized junior brand, Candie's. In 1985, Cole left El Greco and founded his first licensing company, New Retail Concepts and introduced No Excuses, a denim based brand known for its irreverent advertising. In 1991, Cole sold No Excuses and bought back El Greco, Inc., merging the two companies to form Candie's, Inc. In July of 2005, Cole made a strategic decision to leverage the Company's licensing and marketing expertise by divesting itself of its operating businesses and Candie's, Inc. became Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Over the next few years, Iconix Brand Group acquired iconic brands such as; London Fog, Ocean Pacific, Joe Boxer, Mossimo and Cannon.
Today, Iconix Brand Group has a diversified portfolio of fashion, home and character based brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the United States and worldwide. The Company creates consumer awareness and equity for its 27 iconic consumer brands: Candie's, Bongo, Badgley Mischka, Joe Boxer, Rampage, Mudd, London Fog, Mossimo, Ocean Pacific, Danskin, Danksin Now, Rocawear, Cannon, Royal Velvet, Fieldcrest, Charisma, Starter, Waverly and Ed Hardy. In addition, Iconix owns an interest in the Artful Dodger, Ecko, Marc Ecko, ZOO York, Material Girl, Peanuts and Snoopy brands.
Forbes Magazine has credited Iconix Brand Group as one of "The Best Companies In America" and License Magazine has listed Iconix for two consecutive years as the second largest licensing Company in the world, following Disney Consumer Products. Iconix Brand Group continues to grow with $12 billion in global annual retail sales. The unique brand management business model positions Iconix as a pioneer in the industry with specialization in licensing, marketing and brand management.
In 2001, Cole founded The Candie's Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to educate America's youth about the devastating consequences of teenage pregnancy and creates a national dialogue on the issue. Cole is the Chairman of the Iconix Board of Directors, a member of Governor Cuomo's SAGE Commission, and a member of Board of Directors of The Candie's Foundation, The Mount Sinai Children's Center Foundation, Crutches 4 Kids and Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School. Cole received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Florida in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from Hofstra law school in 1982.
Warren Clamen has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since November 11, 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Clamen served as our Chief Financial Officer since joining our company in March 2005. From June 2000 until March 2005, Mr. Clamen served as Vice President of Finance for Columbia House, one of the world's largest licensees of content for music and film, and from December 1998 to June 2000, he was Vice President of Finance of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded entertainment company active in motion pictures, television, publishing, licensing and toys. Prior to that time, Mr. Clamen served as the director, international management for Biochem Pharma Inc., a biopharmaceutical company located in Montreal, Canada, and as a senior manager at Richter, Usher and Vineberg, an accounting firm also located in Montreal, Canada. Mr. Clamen is a certified public accountant and a chartered accountant. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1986 and a Graduate Diploma in public accounting in 1988, each from McGill University in Montreal.
Andrew Tarshis has served as our Executive Vice President and General Counsel since November 11, 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Tarshis served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since September 2006. From July 2005, when he joined our company in connection with our acquisition of the Joe Boxer brand, until September 2006, he served as our Senior Vice President, Business Affairs and Associate Counsel. Prior to joining our company, from May 2001 to July 2005, Mr. Tarshis served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel to Windsong Allegiance Group, LLC and, from December 1998 to May 2001, he served as a general attorney for Toys R Us, Inc. Mr. Tarshis received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1988 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1992.
David Blumberg has served as our Head of Strategic Development since February 2009 and has served as our Executive Vice President – Head of Strategic Development since August 2009. From November 2006 through January 2009, Mr. Blumberg served our company as a full-time consultant overseeing our merger and acquisition activities. Prior to joining our company as a consultant, during 2005 through October 2006, Mr. Blumberg worked as a consultant to LF Management Ltd., an affiliate of Li & Fung Limited/ LF USA. Prior to joining Li & Fung, from January 1997 to November 1999, Mr. Blumberg was president and managing director-investment banking of Wit Capital, Inc., an online investment bank. From 1981 to 1993, Mr. Blumberg was a managing director and senior vice president of Merrill Lynch Interfunding Inc. and Merrill Lynch Capital Markets- Investment Bank, respectively. Mr. Blumberg received a Bachelor of Science, cum laude in economics from Colgate University in 1981 and a Masters degree in business administration in corporate finance from New York University in 1987.
Dari Marder has been working for the Company in various creative capacities since its inception. Ms. Marder began her career with Neil Cole in 1987 as Director of Advertising and Public Relations for New Retail Concepts, Inc. She has been the creative force behind several notorious campaigns including the Donna Rice endorsement for "No Excuses" jeans and Jenny McCarthy's controversial time spent on the toilet advertising Candie's slides. Ms. Marder currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer. She graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology and began her career at Playboy Enterprises in the role of assistant to the Fashion Editor of Playboy Magazine. Ms. Marder is one of the founders of The Candie's Foundation, a public charity dedicated to educating teens about the consequences of teen pregnancy. For more information on Dari Marder, please contact her preferred publicist, her mother.
Lanie List has served as our Chief Merchandising Officer since July 2010. Additionally, she plays a key role in operating the MG Icon joint venture with Madonna formed in early 2010. Prior to this, Mrs. List served as our Executive Vice President, Merchandising since August 2009 and has held various titles in our trend and merchandising division since joining the company in May 2004. Mrs. List began her career in the retail sector, holding various positions within the Target Corporation in planning, buying, product development and trend. Mrs. List graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts.
Seth Horowitz has served as our President of the Men's Division since April 2012. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Horowitz served as President for Modell's Sporting Goods where he created and executed the vision for "Rebirth" from 2007-2011. Mr. Horowitz was the Chairman, CEO, & President of Everlast Worldwide Inc. where he led the company and Board of Directors through the public transaction and sale of Everlast Worldwide. From 2003-2005, Mr. Horowitz was the Executive Vice President and COO of Everlast Worldwide Inc. From 2000-2003 Mr. Horowitz was the Vice President, Global Equipment, of Everlast Worldwide Inc. Mr. Horowitz received a Bachelors Degree in Marketing and a Minor in Communications from The George Washington University in 1998.