Rock Fashion Week's Purcell Splits With Rock Media, Gen Art Remains Independent
Rock Media President Nicole Purcell has resigned from the company and plans to continue producing fashion events similar to Rock Fashion Week, which was held in Los Angeles, Miami and New York.
Purcell, who could not be reached for comment, sent an e-mail announcing her split from New York–based Rock PR Media LLC. She plans to change the name of the event, sources said.
Last summer, Purcell and Rock Media principal Scott Rosenblum announced plans to host a multi-day fashion and music event at Paramount Studios in October.
The event was eventually scaled back to a smaller event held in conjunction with Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion show at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Rock Media and Gen Art also announced plans to merge the two organizations, but the deal was never “consummated,” said Ian A. Gerard, chief executive officer and founder of New York–based Gen Art. The organization, which is currently working on events in New York and Miami, had been facing a funding crunch back in September. But Gerard said the outlook for 2010 is much improved.
“We’ve seen a big change in the last two months, which is not a surprise,” he said. “2010 budgets are coming into play. We are talking to 10 times as many people as we were five months ago.”
Gerard left open the possibility that Gen Art could hold events in conjunction with Rock Media again. He also said the organization would consider a merger with another company or organization.
“We’re always open to anything to help us expand our business offerings,” he said.—Alison A. Nieder
