News Release

NC State University College of Textiles Announces Marshal Cohen as Textile Leader of the Year

Media Contact(s):
Emily Parker, College of Textiles Director of College Relations, (919)515-6529

April 21, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst of The NPD Group, has been named the 2008 Leader of the Year by the North Carolina State University College of Textiles. A ceremony honoring Cohen was held Tuesday, April 15, at the College of Textiles. 

Cohen is considered a national expert on the apparel, footwear, and accessories markets and has appeared on many broadcast news outlets such as “Good Morning America”, “Today” and CNBC.  He is also quoted regularly on fashion and consumer retail trends in national publications such as Fortune, Wall Street Journal, Women’s Wear Daily and many more.  Cohen has been studying retail trends for thirty years and is considered an expert on consumer behavior related to shopping habits, what drives consumer behavior and how that effects their purchasing.  He can also offer insight into what makes a brand successful and discuss key areas of growth and opportunity in the fashion industry.

Matt Laney (Vice President of Phi Psi), Andrew Parker (President of Phi Psi), Marshal Cohen, Amber F. Smith (President of Kappa Tau Beta), Matt Avery (Vice President of Kappa Tau Beta)

Blanton Godfrey, Dean of the College of Textiles, says, “The College of Textiles is extremely fortunate to be working with someone as experienced and talented as Marshall Cohen.  He brings to our students new insights into the competitive world of today's textile and apparel markets.”

Students at the College of Textiles have had the opportunity the last several years to learn from Cohen’s knowledge through the Executive-in-Residence program and the Guest Lecture Series.  These programs expose students to cutting-edge global business information in textiles and prepare them for leadership positions in today’s global industry.  With the newly renamed Fashion and Textile Management degree at the College of Textiles, students are interested in learning more about the real fashion world and what makes it tick.  Cohen has been able to give them that insight. 

In Cohen’s speech Tuesday evening to students, faculty and staff he said, “I ask you to understand giving and find a way to give back to the industry on a student level.”  He continued by saying, “I get more from the students here at the College of Textiles than you get from me.  This partnership has been a great give and take relationship.” 

Cohen’s career began in the training program at Bloomingdale’s, eventually moving his way up to merchandise manager.  He was president of WilliWear and Stanley Blacker and founder, owner and president of Motive Marketing Group before joining NPD in 1999.  At NPD he has held many positions all of which have been related to the apparel and footwear industries. 

Nancy Cassill, interim department head of the textile and apparel technology and management department was instrumental in having Cohen involved in the Guest Lecture Series at the College of Textiles says, “Marshal Cohen is known as a premier information source about textile marketplace dynamics – including the consumer marketplace, the every changing competitive dynamics, competitive branding strategies, as well as today’s retail and textile and apparel products.  The 2008 College of Textiles’ Leader of the Year award is well-deserved, and also acknowledges his ongoing contribution to our College and to the global industry.”

The Leader of the Year is an annual award that is co-sponsored and voted on by two student organizations at the College of Textiles, Kappa Tau Beta Leadership Fraternity and Phi Psi Professional Fraternity. The award honors a leader in the textile industry who represents the goals and ideals of the two fraternities and is leading the textile industry in innovative ways.