Mitchell Berk Named CEO of Hilco Consumer Capital
Berk's Consumer Products Background Called 'The Ideal Fit' for Company's Brand Management and Licensing Platform. </pre> <p><span class="xn-location">TORONTO</span> and NORTHBROOK, Ill., <span class="xn-chron">July 12</span> /CNW/ -- Jeffrey B. Hecktman, Chairman and CEO of Hilco Trading, LLC, parent company of Hilco Consumer Capital, LLC ("HCC"), announced today the appointment of Mitchell C. Berk as Chief Executive Officer of HCC. HCC is a world leader in consumer product brand management and licensing, with a stellar portfolio of assets that includes Polaroid, Sharper Image, Halston, Linens 'N Things, <span class="xn-location">Bombay</span> Co., <span class="xn-person">Ellen Tracy</span> and Caribbean Joe.</p> <p/> <p><span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> will assume the CEO position from <span class="xn-person">Eric Kaup</span>, who has served on an interim basis since February, 2010. <span class="xn-person">Mr. Kaup</span>, who also serves as general counsel for Hilco Trading, will remain actively involved with HCC's current brand portfolio, new licensing agreements and brand acquisitions.</p> <p/> <p><span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> is a successful business owner and operator, whose entrepreneurial skills and style combine vision with superb managerial, marketing and sales acumen. His greatest success came as founder and chief executive of Entertainment Marketing, Inc. ("EMI"), a company that pioneered in the entertainment, sports and lifestyle marketing categories.</p> <p/> <p>Over two decades, EMI innovated and produced breakthrough campaigns to help launch and build brands for Anheuser-Busch, <span class="xn-person">Phillip Morris</span>, The Dole Foods, Burger King, General Mills, Pfizer, Hanes Hosiery, Adagio Brands and others. EMI leveraged music groups such as The Rolling Stones and Earth, Wind and Fire, and artists including <span class="xn-person">Tina Turner</span>, <span class="xn-person">Celine Dion</span>, <span class="xn-person">Kenny Rogers</span> and Tim McGraw to create exceptional marketing and sales results for clients.</p> <p/> <p>Most recently, <span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> founded and served as CEO of Vortex, LLC, a strategic consulting and capital provider for high-growth media and marketing enterprises in the consumer products, sports and music fields. Early in his career, <span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> served as a key marketing and sales executive for Jovan Fragrances, where he helped the company achieve a fourfold growth in revenues through corporate partnerships with musical groups.</p> <p/> <p>As CEO of Hilco Consumer Capital, <span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> will focus on building value within the current portfolio of brands as well as new brand acquisitions. "I see enormous potential for <span class="xn-person">Mitch Berk</span> to extend our current brands into new sectors through creative licensing arrangements and acquisitions of iconic brands. Additionally, Hilco will benefit from Mitch's expertise in forging synergistic relationships with high-profile celebrities in sports and entertainment, who can help us build greater brand awareness and preference. He is the ideal fit to lead HCC," said <span class="xn-person">Mr. Hecktman</span>.</p> <p/> <p>Commenting on his new role, <span class="xn-person">Mr. Berk</span> said, "The opportunities to create incremental growth for HCC are tremendous. I am excited to be a part of the diverse and dynamic Hilco organization. This is a great opportunity for me, both on a business level and culturally. I am committed to adding great value in the years ahead."</p> <pre> About Hilco Consumer Capital and Hilco Trading, LLC </pre> <p>Hilco Consumer Capital, LLC ("HCC") (<a href="http://www.hilcocc.com">www.hilcocc.com</a>), headquartered in <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, is a private equity firm that makes strategic investments in consumer lifestyle brands. It is a unit of Hilco Trading, LLC ("Hilco"), (<a href="http://www.hilcotrading.com">www.hilcotrading.com</a>) a Chicago-based, international provider of diversified financial and operational services, including business asset valuations, asset acquisitions and disposition services, and business advisory services, including retail consulting, investment banking and distressed debt management. Hilco also owns three private equity investment platforms, of which HCC is one. In the aggregate, Hilco has investments in 19 portfolio companies in the <span class="xn-location">United States</span>, <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>, the <span class="xn-location">United Kingdom</span> and <span class="xn-location">France</span>. Together, these companies employ more than 10,000 people and show revenues approximating USD <span class="xn-money">$2 billion</span>. Hilco has offices throughout <span class="xn-location">North America</span> and in the <span class="xn-location">United Kingdom</span>.</p> <p/> <p/> <p/> <pre> Contact: Richard Kaye Executive Vice President of Hilco +1-847-418-2711
For further information: Richard Kaye, Executive Vice President of Hilco, +1-847-418-2711 Web Site: http://www.hilcocc.com
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