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NEW YORK -- Marc Jacobs, an influential, high-profile designer who's still a long way from big numbers, has a new chief executive officer.
Scott Bowman, a retailer with nearly a decade of experience in the luxury arena, on Wednesday, officially took the helm of Marc Jacobs International LLC, which is majority owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and minority owned by Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy, who remains president.
He joins the brand at a time when new licensing pacts to broaden Marc Jacobs offerings are in the works. Deals are expected to be announced soon.
He succeeds Thomas O'Neill, who a few months ago joined LVMH's Watch & Jewelry Business Group. Duffy and Carolyn Risoli, president of the women's ready-to-wear division, report to Bowman.
Bowman's responsibilities cover all product categories, including the top-tiered Collection and the second-tier line called Marc.
"This is a new phase in the history of the company," said Yves Carcelle, president of the LVMH Fashion Group, which aside from Marc Jacobs, includes Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Celine, Berluti, Kenzo, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Fendi, StefanoBi, Emilio Pucci and Thomas Pink.
Bowman reports to Carcelle, who also disclosed that on Tuesday the company signed a master long-term agreement for distributing Marc Jacobs products in Japan, jointly with Mitsubushi and Renown Look, representing a renegotiation of a previous agreement. Aside from extending the terms, one of the key provisions is that the Marc Jacobs Look line, which was exclusively distributed in Japan, will be renamed Marc so there's more consistency and stronger recognition of the label internationally. The agreement also involves distribution of the collection.
Bowman, plucked from his office in Guam -- where, since 1998, he...