Coach appoints new travel-retail vice-president

Nicole Mezzasalma

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Andre Cohen has previously worked for Timberland, Swatch Group and LVMH in Asia

Fashion company Coach has appointed Andre Cohen as senior vice-president international wholesale, a role that includes responsibility for travel-retail and key markets outside of Japan, effective February 2008. He will report directly to Coach International president Ian Bickley and will work together with Coach president Greater China Thibault Villet, who was appointed in August.

Cohen joins from Timberland, where he was managing director Asia Pacific. He has also previously worked for watches conglomerate Swatch Group and luxury items supplier LVMH.

Bickley said: "We are extremely pleased that Andre will be joining our international management team, bringing his impressive global sales and general management experience with other premium brands to Coach. He is an accomplished international business executive with great insights into worldwide growth strategies. In addition, Andre has an excellent understanding of travel-retail and working with distribution partners in key growth markets for Coach such as Asia/Pacific. As such, he is uniquely qualified to drive our business and raise brand awareness internationally, an important component of Coach’s long-term global growth strategy.

Cohen added: "I am excited about joining Coach’s international team to help build on the strong foundation they have created for the brand globally. Given the broad appeal and vibrancy of the Coach product and my experience with brand building, I envision even greater opportunities for international growth.

At September 30, there were 147 Coach international wholesale and travel-retail locations. The company intends to open a total of 30 new international wholesale locations, primarily in Asia/Pacific, in 2008.