Gola develops clothing range

Sportswear marque Gola, best known for its football boots, has hired its first marketing chief with a brief to build a fashionable clothing brand.

Marketing manager Donna Hill joins from Manchester PR agency Redman Jones & Partners, where she worked on the Gola account for 15 months. She will seek an advertising agency to build on the brand’s heritage, though a budget has yet to be decided.

Hill reports to Harvey Jacobson, managing director of Lancashire-based Gola owner D Jacobson & Sons.

Hill, who is responsible for developing a brand and marketing strategy, intends to seek endorsements from football players. She is also considering creating an Internet presence. “From a product point of view, the possibilities for the brand are very big because the name is so well-recognised.

“The company has realised the brand’s significant potential and wants to support it,” says Hill, who will also be recruiting a marketing team.

She continues: “We don’t claim to be on a par with the Nikes of this world, but some of our products are of as good a quality – and our prices are lower.”

The company is looking to develop new product areas, having recently introduced watches and its first women’s range.

Gola also sells children’s wear and sports accessories. Last year, it signed up Middlesborough manager Bryan Robson to endorse the brand.

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