Fila USA is "trying to fight back with a major
restructuring plan that bears little resemblance to its
heady days of just a few years ago," according to Eric
Fisher of the WASHINGTON TIMES. Fila announced last week
that it would outsource its 68-person sales force and
although the company "declined to pinpoint" cost savings,
the reduction in salaries and benefits that would have gone
to the sales force "should reach seven figures." Fila,
which has about 500 employees, is also "exploring
contracting out" its two warehouses in Baltimore and Anne
Arundel, MD, "as early as" February (WASH. TIMES, 11/23).
CLICK WITH HILL: During all this, Fila released its
newest version of its Grant Hill signature shoe, the GH5.
With the lockout, Fila Senior VP/Advertising & Sports
Marketing Howe Burch said the company has had to focus on
"interactive means" to promote the launch. The Web site,
http://www.gh5.com, conducted an online chat with Grant Hill
last week. A print campaign is currently running and a
promotional drawing is planned where Hill will visit the
winner at his or her home (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/23).
