Pacific Coast Lighting , Cape Craftsmen Join Roster Of Dick Idol™ Licences

Furniture World Magazine

Outdoorsman and wildlife artist Dick Idol continues to provide consumers with new, affordable ways to bring the beauty and spirit of the great outdoors into their homes. Dick Idol Ventures LLC (DIV), the licensing company behind one of the best-selling names in branded lifestyle furniture and home accessories, has confirmed new licensing deals with Pacific Coast Lighting (lamps and portable lighting) and Cape Craftsmen, Inc. (decorative accessories). Located on opposite coasts, the two new partners join a growing list of industry-leading home furnishings companies creating quality products for the outdoor-influenced Dick Idol™ collection, affordably priced to give consumers a great value. California-based Pacific Coast Lighting (PCL), headquartered in suburban Los Angeles, is one of the nation’s largest manufacturers of portable lighting. PCL has one of the most extensive distribution networks in its industry, and is expected to give the Dick Idol™ brand significant retail exposure in the lighting category nationwide. The company has successfully partnered with other personality-driven brands and has a reputation for innovative design, quality workmanship and market responsiveness. “Pacific Coast Lighting is happy to have been selected to develop the new line of lamps to accessorize the very successful Dick Idol™ line of furniture,” said Dave Hambley, vp marketing/national sales manager of PCL. “This new collection gives Pacific Coast the opportunity to offer a high fashion line at value prices, and to partner with another of the top designers and furniture companies in our industry. We look forward to introducing the new designs at the High Point market in April 2003.” “We’re thrilled to have Pacific Coast Lighting on board,” said DIV Chief Marketing Officer Jim Williams. “Their retail presence is unmatched, and we know we have a partner that understands the Dick Idol value proposition. It’s more than the ability to make great-looking products – we look for licensees we can trust to produce and deliver the right product at the right time at the right price.” Cape Craftsmen, Inc., of Wilmington, N.C., will produce a variety of decorative accessories for Dick Idol™, from wine accessories to garden accent pieces to pottery and ceramics. “This is a perfect fit for our company because so many of our designs are inspired by nature and the outdoor lifestyle,” said John Hillmann, president of Cape Craftsmen. “Dick Idol represents a very high standard of art and craftsmanship, and we look forward to being an important addition to his collection.” The Montana-based Idol works with the design teams of each licensed manufacturer to develop product groups that reflect Idol’s passion for nature, antiquities and art. DIV licensees include Klaussner Furniture Industries (upholstered products and case goods), Capel (area rugs), Foster’s Point (home florals), Big Sky Carvers (wildlife art reproductions) and J. Edward Fine Art & Mirror (prints and mirrors). Announcements introducing manufacturing partners in the bedding and bath, apparel and footwear categories are next for the rapidly expanding Dick Idol™ franchise. Brand-building strategies include a Dick Idol™ lifestyle television show beginning in 2004, as well as Dick Idol™ retail stores, currently under discussion. “Our vision of a far-reaching, multi-category mega-brand is becoming a reality,” said DIV President Steve Regan. “This was a huge year for the Dick Idol™ brand, but 2003 is shaping up to really take us to the next level. This franchise has unlimited potential to continue growing, and we’re always looking for the next good idea.” The Dick Idol™ home collection has exceeded expectations at retail since first hitting showroom floors in March 2002. Approximately 300 stores across the U.S. carry the furniture line. In total, Dick Idol™ products can be found in more than 1,000 stores located in 49 states, as well as England, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and Dominican Republic. The brand has also been introduced in Germany, and there has been interest from retailers in Moscow and the Far East. For more information about Dick Idol Ventures, LLC or to set up an interview with Dick Idol, please contact Lauren Harrell at (919) 832-6300 or visit www.dickidol.com.