NIKE, Inc. (NIKE) is engaged in the design, development and worldwide marketing of footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products. NIKE sells athletic footwear and athletic apparel. It sells its products to retail accounts, through NIKE-owned retail, including stores and Internet sales, and through a mix of independent distributors and licensees, in over 170 countries around the world. Running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired casual shoes, and Kid’s shoes are its footwear categories. It also markets shoes designed for aquatic activities, baseball, cheerleading, football, golf, lacrosse, outdoor activities, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball, walking, wrestling, and other athletic and recreational uses. It sells a line of performance equipment under the NIKE brand name, including bags, socks, sport balls, eyewear, timepieces, electronic devices, bats, gloves, protective equipment, golf clubs, and other equipment designed for sports activities.

Marc Ecko is an edgy fashion firm that appeals to urban, street-savvy youths, extreme sports fans, and hip-hop stars. Its rhinoceros logo graces everything from men's and women's sportswear to such items as (licensed) bags, eyewear, footwear, leather goods, and outerwear. Ecko, with such brands as *ecko unltd. and Zoo York, also boasts boys' and girls' clothing. Ecko's wares are sold in department and specialty stores and in about 30 company outlet stores in 20 states and Puerto Rico. Distributors peddle the rhino gear worldwide. Chairman and designer Marc Ecko started the company in 1993 with a line of six T-shirts.

Founded in 1912 as All-Steel-Equip, Allsteel invented the lateral file in 1967. The company is a subsidiary of HNI. he office furniture company makes office systems, desks, seating, storage products, tables, and accessories under names such as Energy, Stride, Align, Concensys, Scout, and Terrace. Allsteel sells its products through dealers and its own sales force. Its customers originate in the corporate, government, and educational markets. The company operates about 10 showrooms in the US and Canada.

Brown Shoe Company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Brown Shoe Company, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer and wholesaler of footwear. The company provides a range of licensed, branded, and private-label casual, dress, and athletic footwear products to women, men, and children. As of January 31, 2009, it operated 1,444 retail shoe stores in the United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, and Guam primarily under the Famous Footwear and Naturalizer names. The company also designs, sources, and markets footwear to retailers, including department stores, mass merchandisers, national chains, independent retailers, and catalogs and online retailers. In addition, it owns interest in Shoes.com, Inc., a pure play Internet e-tailing company, which offers a selection of footwear and accessories to men, women, and children that include company-branded and licensed footwear, as well as footwear purchased from outside suppliers and certain merchandise. The company also offers its products to consumers through catalogs and Web sites.

The Avon lady has had her foot in the door in the UK since 1959, making the country one of the largest direct-selling markets for parent Avon Products. Avon has become one of the top handful of beauty brands in the country. Some 160,000 independent sales reps sell cosmetics directly to customers at home parties and work get-togethers. The company's catalog is distributed every three weeks to nearly 8 million potential customers. Avon Cosmetics' distribution center, located in Corby, processes about 10,000 orders daily. The company banned animal-testing of its products in 1989. To spur sales, the company has enlisted the help of industry professionals.

Founded in 1845 by Count Antoine Norbert de Patek, Patek Philippe has since continued to innovate each year, from its first (a minute-repeating pocket watch) to its last (a watch that can replicate the chimes of Big Ben, calculate the phases of the moon, and follow the changing date of Easter). Far beyond even the fanciest Rolex -- a basic Patek Philippe runs about $17,000, and that's without the company's renowned "complications." Watches are sold through specialty dealers worldwide, such as Tiffany, Tourneau, and Henri Stern. The Charles and Jean Stern family has owned Patek Philippe for some 50 years.

SOS Management has taken a bum rap and turned it into a real superstar. The company acquires slumping clothing labels and licenses the names to other companies. Its popular B.U.M. Equipment name is loaned to clothing, footwear, and accessories manufacturers who sell products through retail shops and department stores in the US and abroad. Wal-Mart licenses the brand in multiple overseas markets and owns the name exclusively in Canada. B.U.M. Equipment was once named one of the top 100 most recognizable brands by industry source Women's Wear Daily. SOS also manages the licenses for American Exchange, Gene Meyer, and Mark Montano. Co-chairmen Stephen Wayne and Steve Marra own SOS Management.

Put a little extra snap, crackle, and pop in your bathtub with Phyzz. The contract manufacturer makes private label effervescent bath, household, and aromatherapy products. It has custom-made bath tablets, beverages, detergents, nutritional supplements, plant food, and more for customers the likes of Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Star Nail, and Tommy Hilfiger. The company also offers product development and marketing services. Phyzz products use AquaPops crackling granules made by exclusive agreement with Raven Manufacturing.

Bill Blass Group (formerly Bill Blass Holding) has reached ubiquity status as a licensor. The legendary late designer's longtime, namesake company was famous for its tailored men's and women's clothing known to adorn noteworthy clients from Barbara Bush to Barbra Streisand. William Ralph "Bill" Blass who retired in 2000 and died in 2002, sold the firm in 1999 to its jeanswear licensee, The Resource Club, and CEO Michael Groveman. NexCen Brands bought Bill Blass Holding for more than $54 million in 2007. In late 2008 Peacock International Holdings acquired the worldwide rights to the Blass trademark and the Blass licenses already signed for just $10 million.

ICICLES Eyewear (formerly Icicles Performance Eyewear) keeps your eyes cool when they're fighting the glare of the hot sun. The company makes and markets men's and women's aluminum, metal, and nylon sunglasses, as well as sun goggles. ICICLES offers its customers prescription and non-prescription glasses under brand names including I-Wire, Slider, Switch Blade, and Viper, among others. Some of the company's top sellers are its replacement lenses and its accessories, such as sport cords. Its products are distributed through dealers in California. It also sells items online and via catalog and extreme sports specialty stores.

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