Jun 7, 2011

Dogeared Jewels & Gifts Hires COO To Lead Global Initiatives

LOS ANGELES, CA – Aubin Wilson has joined Dogeared Jewels & Gifts as the company’s first COO. Dogeared, a trendsetting fashion brand creating handcrafted jewels and gifts in Los Angeles, is celebrating its 20th birthday with new positions and innovative plans designed to support the global, multi-channel company. Wilson is bringing her 25 years of executive marketing, sales, and strategic management experience to the wholesale and retail accessories brand. She will work directly with the owners, Marcia Maizel-Clarke and Merlin Clarke, and direct the company’s management team.

“I am proud to join Dogeared and lend my expertise as the company continues to face the business opportunities and challenges in our marketplace,” commented Wilson. “I wanted to become part of Dogeared because of their positive company values, unique position and message within the jewelry and gifts segment, and their commitments to using recycled materials and making all their products in Los Angeles. I am committed to Dogeared’s mandate that bigger will not be different. None of our core values or practices will change as we continue to grow.”

Dogeared started as a niche, Southern California specialty jewelry line, and has grown into a global brand carried by many of the world’s most highly regarded retailers. Their retail flagship, Dogeared.com, was launched in 2006, bringing the company’s products and messages directly to consumers. In an increasingly competitive jewelry retail environment, Dogeared is reinforcing its commitment to its customers, the environment, and to local, made-in-California production, through innovative business practices and the addition of accomplished management such as Wilson.

Central to Dogeared’s mission has always been giving back. This commitment has been expanded with the 20 Years of Good Karma program, “Karma in Action,” launched in January 2011.

“20 Years of Good Karma was created to celebrate a milestone in a way that is authentic to Dogeared,” explains Marcia Maizel-Clarke, Dogeared founder and designer. “Karma in Action continues and elevates our commitments to four outstanding organizations doing very important work: One Voice, Heal the Bay, Stand Up to Cancer, and Girls Learn International. As we look ahead, Merlin and I want to devote more energy to these and other programs that are very important to us. Aubin will give us more time to concentrate on our passions, which for me includes being in my creative space, focusing on design. Continuing to offer innovative products that speak to customers is vital to Dogeared’s long term success.”

“We believe that Aubin’s leadership skills will take Dogeared to the next level of growth, while allowing me to move from daily operations to function as our fulltime Social Responsibility Officer,” continued Merlin Clarke, the company’s co-owner. “We founded Dogeared in order to have a positive influence in the world, and after 20 years, our commitment to the environment, to women’s education, to finding a cure for cancer, and to improving the lives of those in need continues to grow. Our business goals are to continue the success of Dogeared and to have more time to devote to giving back.”

About Aubin Wilson

Aubin Wilson brings 25 years of executive experience to Dogeared Jewels & Gifts. Most recently she has acted as the principal of Aubin E. Wilson & Associates, based in Pasadena. The company offered business development, project management and sales and marketing consultation for manufacturers, non-profits, retailers, trade show management firms and small business owners.

Prior to that, Wilson served as Group Show Manager to GLM, a DMG world media business, in Los Angeles and White Plains, NY, overseeing the West Coast Gift Shows. She was relocated to Los Angeles to re-brand and to elevate awareness and visibility of the markets and lead the sales and marketing teams. The increased profitability due to her efforts with The California Gift Show led to the organization being named one of Trade Show Week’s 50 Fastest Growing Shows.

Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies at William Smith College, and is an active member of a number of professional groups, including the International Association of Expositions and Events, LA Chapter. She also volunteers with numerous community organizations.

Dogeared is celebrating its 20th birthday with special events, limited edition jewels, and a yearlong giving initiative: Karma In Action “20 years in business, and it’s still as simple as it was when we started on this journey. Our jewels have the power to connect, inspire, and become part of people’s lives. I believe Dogeared has been successful because we design in the spirit of love, joy, and possibility. Using that as our inspiration, everything we create has meaning, and contributes to completing the circle… good karma, good energy, and good relationships.” Marcia Maizel-Clarke, Dogeared founder & designer

For more information on Karma in Action, please email dogeared_pr@att.net

Dogeared Jewels & Gifts

Designer Marcia Maizel-Clarke founded Dogeared Jewels & Gifts 20 years ago in Southern California. Originating word jewelry, she began creating beautiful pieces with the purpose of putting positive, peaceful, and loving energy into the world. This energy has always included being kind to the planet, handcrafting all the jewels and gifts in California, and working with nonprofit organizations sharing Dogeared’s vision of a better world. Dogeared’s unique, custom-cast jewels are regularly featured in fashion, lifestyle, and celebrity publications, in films and on television. Trendsetting retailers around the world, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus Cusp, Bloomingdale’s, Fred Segal, and ABC Home, all carry Dogeared. Please visit www.dogeared.com for Dogeared’s online flagship store. For wholesale information, visit www.dogearedwholesale.com.