Blue Marlin Parts Ways With K-Fed, Shutters Gerry Space
San Francisco–based sportswear firm Blue Marlin Corp. is following the lead of Britney Spears and severing ties with aspiring rapper Kevin Federline, who helped endorse the company’s Five Star Vintage clothing line.
Blue Marlin’s vice president of sales, Alex Navarro, confirmed the move.
“We worked with him for Fall/Holiday and chose not to renew for Spring/Summer. It was never planned to go forward,” said Navarro.
Federline is estranged from his wife, Spears, but has not been avoiding the spotlight. His most recent escapade has him dabbling in the world of prime-time wrestling with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). He won his first match on Jan. 1 over John Cena.
Blue Marlin used Federline in print and other media ads for Five Star Vintage, a contemporary sportswear line for young men. Federline’s stock apparently lost value once he split with Spears.
In a move that apparently was unrelated, the company shuttered its Los Angeles showroom, based in the Gerry Building. Vice President of Marketing Kenneth Loo, partly responsible for the K-Fed campaign, and Sales Manager Roman Valdez, both based in Los Angeles, have left the company to pursue other interests, said Navarro.
New York–based Navarro will manage national sales. Chris Cantrell will oversee West Coast sales.
—Robert McAllister
