Chuck Zona Joins NexCen

NEW YORK – Charles “Chuck” Zona has joined NexCen Brands Inc. in the new post of executive vice president of licensing and brand management. He reports to Robert D’Loren, president and chief executive officer of the brand acquisition and management firm.

Zona, best known in menswear circles as the former senior vice president and general merchandise manager of Lord & Taylor, most recently operated his own consulting business, where his clients included The J. Peterman Co. and Chris-Craft Boats. Prior to that, he was senior vice president of National Football League Properties with responsibility for building the NFL’s licensed businesses in apparel, accessories and hardlines.

“Chuck will be instrumental to NexCen as we diversify our brands with new licensing opportunities in the future,” D’Loren said in a statement. “He clearly understands how to reach consumers in a variety of mass marketing sectors.”

NexCen acquires and manages established consumer brands in the areas of retail franchising, consumer branded products and fast-food eating establishments. It acquired The Athlete’s Foot, a franchise-based athletic footwear and apparel retail chain with more than 600 locations, in October, the same month it changed its name from Aether Holdings Inc.