eckoTV Charges into Stores Nationwide with Stunts, Sports, Music, Rhinos and More

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading out-of-home marketing company, Channel M, today announced *eckoTV, a new in-store and online entertainment network uniquely developed for the popular youth clothing and lifestyle brand spearheaded by fashion vanguard Marc Ecko. *eckoTV debuts the *ecko unltd.’s rogue mascot “Raunchy the Rhino”, features user-created stunts and humorous programming that extends the experience of shopping at *ecko unltd into an entertaining event. The network has just recently begun to roll out in *ecko unltd. retail stores and branded shops in Macy’s stores nationwide.

“Marketers are realizing that to get the return on investment that they used to be able to count on from traditional advertising tactics, they have to engage their customers”

Marc Ecko, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marc Ecko Enterprises, stated, “As we have seen with the recent growth of various community-based and video sharing websites, the number of young consumers testing their abilities as producers has never been stronger – whether creating simple customized homepages or filming, editing and sharing compelling video content. Through *eckoTV, we are able to highlight the very best of this new breed of talent, while also providing an excellent means of engaging today’s young, tech savvy consumer.”

*eckoTV programming consists of action sports, short interviews with bands, as well as stunts submitted by the *ecko unltd. community. In-store viewers are teased with clips that may not be appropriate on in-store video for public consumption but can be seen in their entirety online at www.eckotv.com. The audience is also encouraged to submit their own user-generated content for consideration to be featured in upcoming episodes.

“Marketers are realizing that to get the return on investment that they used to be able to count on from traditional advertising tactics, they have to engage their customers,” said Eric Hebel, President and COO of Channel M. “Companies like *ecko continue to evolve their relationships with customers because they see how closely they are linked together. Not only do brands like *ecko contribute to the customer’s identity, but through user-generated content like that featured on *ecko TV, the customer also contributes to the identity of the brand.”

Hebel continued, “The goal of the new *eckoTV entertainment network is to provide consumers with an entirely new way to engage with *ecko. The show was not only strategically developed as a clear representation of *ecko’s brand, but also as a means for customers to contribute their own creativity to what defines *ecko.”

Channel M collaborated with the Marc Ecko Enterprise’s in-house creative team to develop the original content for the *eckoTV network. Channel M continues to revolutionize out-of-home video as experts capable of translating a brand’s experience and attributes into engaging customized video content.

About Channel M

Channel M is the largest provider of out-of-home video in North America. The company produces award-winning, cutting-edge video content that engages and entertains each demographic specific to its retail and lifestyle venues. The company’s growing network of channels provides marketers the ability to reach a variety of demographics with television advertising, in-store signage, product integration and national promotions. Channel M’s network includes 20,000 locations. Currently, Channel M is offering marketers access to 7,000 locations with monthly traffic of over 85 million.

About Marc Ecko Enterprises

The youngest member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s board of directors, Marc Ecko is founder of *ecko unltd., the world famous rhino brand. Since its creation in 1993, the group of companies that comprise Marc Ecko Enterprises has grown to include: *ecko unltd.® men’s and Eckored® women’s apparel, as well as outerwear, footwear, watches, eyewear, underwear, belts, bags, hats, small leather goods, formalwear and more. Marc Ecko Enterprises also includes Marc Ecko “Cut & Sew” (a contemporary menswear line launched Fall 2004); G-Unit® clothing and accessories (a joint venture with multi-platinum musician, 50 Cent); Zoo York® (a line of action sports-inspired clothing and accessories); and Avirex® Sportswear Collection (a mid-tier brand launched Spring 2005). The Company also publishes Complex® magazine, a men’s consumer magazine with a rate base of 330,000, and recently introduced Marc Ecko Entertainment, a full-service production company, with a focus on interactive entertainment. *ecko unltd. products are available in over 5,000 stores domestically and in over 45 countries internationally, as well as through 37 of its own retail stores across the country. For additional information, please visit www.marceckoenterprises.com.