MAD FOR MADDEN; EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER FOR COMPANY OF THE YEAR STEVEN MADDEN IN 2006, THANKS TO A FLOURISHING CORE BUSINESS, THE LAUNCH OF THREE BRANDS AND EXPANSION INTO NEW CATEGORIES.(Steven Madden Ltd.)

Footwear News, December, 2006 by Derby, Meredith

Byline: MEREDITH DERBY

Steven Madden is back in a big way.

One year after the return of its founder and creative and design chief, Long Island City, N.Y.-based Steven Madden Ltd. is enjoying a huge renaissance.

So far this year, earnings have more than tripled, its stock price has nearly doubled and the firm has been rapidly expanding into new licensed categories, including apparel, cold weather accessories and watches. On top of that, Madden acquired retro footwear player Natural Comfort and is also testing two other new brands, a sneaker line called Jump, and Rule, a brand available at JCPenney that generated sales of $1.7 million in the last quarter.

The new initiatives, along with a thriving core business, are paying off....

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