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• updated 09/14/2012 11:30AM La Jolla Group expands leadership The La Jolla Group, a multi-brand apparel licensing company for sports and skate labels headquartered in Irvine, has added a new leadership role to oversee the company’s international expansion. Ian Calvesbert has been named the firm’s general manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
  
  "A key objective for La Jolla Group is to introduce our portfolio and brand-building mindset overseas," said Toby Bost, La Jolla Group's CEO. "Based on our success here in the U.S., we are confident that we can provide the same operational services and brand value to retailers worldwide.” Bost added that Calvesbert’s hiring is in line with the company’s North American strategy.
  
  The new position will involve developing and directing the La Jolla Group’s (LJG) international strategy, including plans to expand the presence of the company’s catalog of brands in a wider market and determine new branding opportunities. The company says that its recent partnership with DNA Distribution will facilitate its growing presence among action sports retailers in the new territories.
  
  "Our success with brands like Metal Mulisha shows that explosive growth and great sell-through domestically can help us to move into new territories with an experienced veteran and managed approach," Bost said.  "With Ian's brand building experience, we couldn't have found a better leader."  
  
  The EMEA region is not unfamiliar territory for Calvesbert, who, prior to joining LJG, served as managing director of the same area for Fox Head Europe for 13 years. His prior role involved growing profits and increasing revenues at all levels, as well as discovering new markets, introducing new products, and improving media and customer relations.
  
  Calvesbert expressed his excitement to join the La Jolla Group and said he looked forward to developing the company’s portfolio on a global platform. "There is a lot of opportunity in the wider European, Middle Eastern and Southern Hemisphere territories, and LJG is perfectly placed to capitalize and leverage our experience, proven best practice and industry knowledge to grow our market share."
  
  Calvesbert takes on his new position from a satellite office in Durham, England, where he will report to Bost.
  
  
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