Orange 21, the parent company of Spy Optic today announced the creation of their newest division: music. And Fran Richards finally gets to put his enormous CD/music collection to work.
No other subculture has the amazing power to communicate and permeate so many different types of hearts and minds as music,” says Stone Douglass, CEO. “Investing in the Music Division completes a circle in our portfolio of lifestyle brands and we expect it to be a great fit.” . . . Orange 21 has appointed Fran Richards, current VP of Marketing for Orange 21, to the new position of Vice President of Business Development and head of the new Music Division.
Fran has already hooked up a joint partner ship with Mary J Blige and Interscope Geffen A&M Records‘ Jimmy Iovine (the guy behind Monster’s Beats by Dr. Dre headphones) for Melodies by MJB which he says is “a luxurious range of high-end acetate and metal frames inspired by Mary’s own passion for sunglasses.”
Ms. Blige does appear to wear them well. . . follow the jump for all the details.
CARLSBAD, Calif., Jun 30, 2010 — Orange 21 Inc. (Pink Sheets:ORNG) has officially announced the creation of its new Music Division. Believing in the amazing power of connection through music, Orange 21 has decided to put its money where its mind is.
“No other subculture has the amazing power to communicate and permeate so many different types of hearts and minds as music,” says Stone Douglass, CEO. “Investing in the Music Division completes a circle in our portfolio of lifestyle brands and we expect it to be a great fit.”
Orange 21 has appointed Fran Richards, current VP of Marketing for Orange 21, to the new position of Vice President of Business Development and head of the new Music Division. With years of both action sports industry and music industry experience, Richards has proven his value as a key player within the Orange 21 organization. The creation of this new division will allow Orange 21 further space to grow as a global player in lifestyle eyewear.
“Our first eyewear brand in the Music Division is a joint partnership with Multi-platinum recording artist, Mary J Blige and Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records. Her new collection, Melodies by MJB, is a luxurious range of high-end acetate and metal frames inspired by Mary’s own passion for sunglasses,” says Richards. Launching in exclusive retail Holiday 2010, the Melodies by MJB collection has already been hard at work in the media. The buzz is out; stay tuned to melodiesbymjb.com for all the details.
In other Orange 21 news, Brand Manager, Matt Harkins has taken on an expanded role and will be overseeing the marketing efforts of the Company as well. Harkins’ new role as VP-Brand Management will assure for a smooth transition and continue the Orange 21 strategy of good times and good product.
About Orange 21 Inc.
Orange 21 is a premium producer of eyewear. Based in Carlsbad, California, the Orange 21 brands — SPY Optic and O’NEILL Eyewear – have become market leaders in both style and quality. The recent addition of the Margaritaville Eyewear and Melodies by MJB to its growing stable of brands is another great story from the people who invite everyone to “Live Through Our Lens.”
