Comfort Solutions Appoints Shoemaker to Drive King Koil International Business Initiative

In a move to increase King Koil® marketing consistency and brand power across its extensive global licensing network, Comfort Solutions has appointed Owen Shoemaker to the position of senior vice president of the international King Koil licensing business.

In the newly created post, Shoemaker reports to Dave Roberts, company president and COO.

“This new strategic initiative reflects the size, scope and rapid expansion in recent years of the King Koil brand overseas,” Roberts explained. “It’s also aimed at increasing the marketing presence and uniformity of King Koil across the globe.

“At the same time,” Roberts added, “our objective is to help each international licensee expand its business and continue to be innovative in the context of its local market demands.”

Referring to Shoemaker as a valued member of the executive team with “extensive experience in product innovation and marketing,” Roberts said Shoemaker will continue to be involved in those pursuits on behalf of Comfort Solutions, while focusing his expertise on accelerating the company’s international King Koil business.

At present, Comfort Solutions has 37 overseas licensees serving 80 countries. The company recently announced its sixth perpetual license agreement, signed last month with its Shanghai, China-based licensee.

Under the new contract, King Koil-China will not only continue to market the brand throughout its home country but also will supply 50 new King Koil retail outlets to be opened in 2013. As many as 500 King Koil stores across China are planned over the next five years.

Shoemaker joined Comfort Solutions in 2009 as vice president of product development, following 18 years in the mattress industry, related industries and in mattress retailing. He was promoted to senior vice president of product marketing and development in 2010.

“The growth of our King Koil business and brand overseas—coupled with the continued escalation in global, web-based consumer traffic—calls for us to provide mattress shoppers worldwide with the strongest possible perspective on our products, concepts and values,” Shoemaker commented.

For more information, visit www.comfortsolutions.com.

About Comfort Solutions: A global mattress producer and name, Comfort Solutions has 10 domestic and 30 international licensees, serving more than 80 countries. Each is committed to helping drive business for its retail customers through relevant and innovative brands and programs. Under its new “Never Stop Dreaming” brand banner, the company markets multiple sleep collections including iMattress™, Laura Ashley® and The Dr. Breus Bed®, in addition to King Koil and Extended Life™ innerspring products.