'47 (brand)
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel |
| Founded | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. (1947) |
| Founder | Henry and Arthur D'Angelo |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Bobby D'Angelo (VP), Mark D'Angelo (VP), David D'Angelo (VP), Steven D'Angelo (VP) |
| Products | Sports Licensing, Headwear, Apparel |
| Website | www |
'47 is a privately held American clothing brand founded in 1947 by twin Italian immigrant brothers, Henry and Arthur D'Angelo. '47 maintains licenses to create headwear, apparel and accessories for the Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, National Football League, Big Bash League, Minor League Baseball, Major League Lacrosse, National Rugby League[1] and over 900 college institutions in the United States.[2]
In 2014, '47 became an official licensed on-field partner for four teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] In 2015, '47 expanded their portfolio with a USSF and Major League Soccer partnership deal.[4] In the same year, they clinched the rights to produce caps for MLB on-field postseason celebrations until 2019[5] and secured a license to create merchandise for Major Baseball League International (MLBI).[6] In 2013, they reported an estimated $230 Million in revenue.[7]
Rebranding
In 2010, Twins Enterprise changed its name to '47 Brand.[8] In 2015, they dropped the "brand" in "'47 Brand."
The company is still occasionally referred to as "'47 Brand" or "Twins Enterprise" in various publications.[9]
The Founders
Arthur and Henry D'Angelo, identical twin brothers, were born in Orsogna, Italy in 1926.[2] They came to the United States in 1938 at age twelve and soon began selling various items, including Boston Red Sox pennants on the streets near Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox play. In 1977, Arthur's oldest son, Robert, joined the business.[2] In the next nine years, Arthur's three other sons (Mark, David, Steven) joined as well. Henry D'Angelo died from cancer in 1987.[10]
On September 21, 2013, the Red Sox and Mayor Thomas Menino honored Arthur D'Angelo by naming a street near Fenway Park after him, "Arthur's Way" and had him throw the first pitch. Arthur D'Angelo remains president of '47, with his four sons in leadership positions: Steven D'Angelo, Robert D'Angelo, David D'Angelo and Mark D'Angelo.[11]
Locations
In 1965, the D'Angelo brothers purchased a 2,000 sq.ft. retail space on Yawkey Way to sell Red Sox souvenirs. They now own and operate the official pro-shop at 19 Jersey Street[12] across from Fenway Park: The Red Sox Team Store. On game days, the store operates within stadium confines and is open to ticketed patrons two hours before game time, throughout the game, and thirty minutes after the last pitch. The store opens at 9am daily.[13] The company headquarters is located in Westwood, MA. In addition, they have a 200,000 sq.ft. warehouse in Brockton, MA.
Organizations
In 2015, '47 created headwear, accessories and apparel for the Black Fives Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that preserves the history of basketball pre-racial integration. This venture marked the first ever sports licensed retail deal with a not-for-profit organization.[14]
References
- ^ "NRL announces licensing agreement with US brand '47". National Rugby League. September 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The '47 Story". '47. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ "'47 Brand Partners with Cape Cod Baseball League". Business Wire. August 7, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
- ^ Thomas, Ian (January 20, 2015). "MLS, USSF To Announce New Licensing Deal With '47 Brand"". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Brown, Maury (April 3, 2015). "MLB Properties Extends Agreements with New Era, Nike and 47 Brand till 2019". Forbes. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Goodison, Donna (December 2, 2015). "Westwood co. '47 signs licensing deal with MLB". Boston Herald.
- ^ Chesto, Jon (April 4, 2014). "Sports apparel supplier '47 Brand plans marketing push for 2015". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Lukas, Paul (September 27, 2012). "Uni-Watch Profiles: Craig Rodia". Uni-Watch.com. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
- ^ "Company Overview of '47 Brand Inc". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
- ^ Borchers, Callum (30 October 2013). "Yawkey Way Store hitches its fate to Red Sox". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ "Red Sox Celebrate Street Dedication of Arthur's Way". MLB.com. September 21, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ https://www.19jerseystreet.com/
- ^ Grossfeld, Stan (August 3, 2006). "Hats off to him — D'Angelo wears his success in the souvenir business well". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ "Basketball History Focused Black Fives Foundation Expands and Reinforces Its Mission and Goals". BlackFives.org. August 27, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2015.