SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 15, 2011 — Charles A. Banks of Terroir Capital and former President and co-Founder of Creative Brands Group, G. Eric Kuskey, announced today the details behind their formation of Catalyst Creative Ventures LLC, a brand management and investment company.
Catalyst will represent popular consumer brands as well as celebrity and other personality-based brands, for licensing, endorsement and other strategic partnership agreements. Catalyst will also make strategic capital investments in a range of industries, initially focused on fashion and beauty brands.
Mr. Kuskey currently serves as Managing Director of Full Picture Licensing, a licensing and public relations agency headquartered in New York City. As part of an overall strategic plan, Catalyst will continue to work in collaboration with Full Picture and their client roster under Mr. Kuskey's direction. Full Picture's clients include TV personality Heidi Klum, renowned supermodel Iman, actress of HBO Entourage fame Emmanuelle Chriqui, and others.
About G. Eric Kuskey
With over 20 years in the brand management/agency space, Mr. Kuskey has represented a diverse range of clients including Time Life, Thomas Kinkade, Christian Lassen, Wyland, Heidi Klum, Iman, Thalia, Bethany Hamilton, Skechers shoe company, and many others. Notable recent transactions for Mr. Kuskey include the establishment of a strategic partnership with Itochu Trading Company in 2008 to build and operate Kitson retail stores in Japan, with seven locations established to date. In 2009, Mr. Kuskey represented the manufacturers in two licensing deals encompassing shoes, apparel, and handbags for the Nicole Richie brands House of Harlow and Winter Kate. In 2010, Mr. Kuskey secured the categories of apparel, footwear, handbags, fragrance and color cosmetics for client Heidi Klum.
About Charles A. Banks
Charles is a Founding and Managing Partner at Terroir Capital as well as CSI Capital Management, a wealth management and investment advisory firm for high-net-worth individuals, where he was President from 2000-2006. Terroir Capital invests in unique luxury hospitality and winery properties. Holdings past and present include Screaming Eagle Wines, The Napa Valley Reserve, Mulderbosch of South Africa, The Post Ranch Inn, The Inn at Mattei's Tavern and Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, among others. In addition to managing the Terroir Capital investments, Mr. Banks is also the Chairman of Gameday, a sports marketing and apparel company. In 2010 Mr. Banks (in collaboration with William Morris Endeavor agency), represented 14-year NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics in a groundbreaking footwear and apparel deal in China.
About Full Picture
Full Picture is a public relations, brand management, digital media, entertainment, marketing and licensing agency, with offices in both New York and Los Angeles. Full Picture was founded in 1999 by Desiree Gruber, who is also a six-time Emmy nominated Executive Producer for the hit television series Project Runway. For more information, visit: http://www.fullpic.com/
For more information on Catalyst Creative Ventures or to arrange an interview with Mr. Kuskey or Mr. Banks, contact:
Kara Wethington, 310-634-8761
Email
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