# Marquee Brands

> Marquee Brands is a New York-based owner, licensor, marketer and media company that acquires consumer names with durable recognition, then expands them through product licensing, retail distribution, e-commerce, content and international partnerships. Founded in 2014 with backing from Neuberger Berman, it has built a portfolio spanning home and culinary, fashion and lifestyle, active and outdoor, and luxury, with brands including Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, America's Test Kitchen, Stance, Body Glove and Roberto Cavalli.

- **Founded:** 2014
- **Headquarters:** New York City, United States
- **Founders:** Samuel Porat (Co-founder and investment lead), Zachary Sigel (Co-founder and acquisitions lead), Michael DeVirgilio (Co-founder and founding operating executive), Cory M. Baker (Co-founder and founding operating executive)
- **Team size:** Approximately 140 employees in the supplied company record; LinkedIn lists 51-200 employees.
- **Products:** Brand acquisition and stewardship, Global licensing, Product and category expansion, Marketing, content and media, E-commerce and direct operations
- **Notable:** Built a portfolio spanning 22 brands by the announced Roberto Cavalli transaction in May 2026., Reached approximately $5 billion in portfolio-wide retail sales by May 2026., Closed an oversubscribed $462 million acquisition fund in 2016 against a $400 million target.

## Products & services

- **Brand acquisition and stewardship** — Acquires established consumer intellectual property and directs long-term positioning, portfolio strategy and brand standards.
- **Global licensing** — Pairs brands with manufacturers, operators, retailers and distributors that make and sell products in defined categories and territories.
- **Product and category expansion** — Uses a licensee network across apparel, home, food, beauty and other sectors to move brands into credible adjacent categories.
- **Marketing, content and media** — Runs consumer research, creative direction, campaigns, collaborations, social strategy and content across the portfolio.
- **E-commerce and direct operations** — Supports or directly operates selected online, wholesale and retail businesses where more control is strategically useful.
- **International market development** — Builds localized partnerships and distribution across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America.

## Achievements

- Built a portfolio spanning 22 brands by the announced Roberto Cavalli transaction in May 2026.
- Reached approximately $5 billion in portfolio-wide retail sales by May 2026.
- Closed an oversubscribed $462 million acquisition fund in 2016 against a $400 million target.
- Expanded from two early fashion acquisitions into home and culinary, fashion and lifestyle, active and outdoor, media and luxury platforms.
- Acquired Laura Ashley in 2025 while retaining its UK team and opening Marquee's first European headquarters in London.
- Added Stance as its 19th brand in 2025 and paired it immediately with a global operating licensee.
- Became majority owner of America's Test Kitchen in 2023, adding its recipe, product-review and subscription media engine to the culinary portfolio.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Hint, an always-on home intelligence platform co-founded by Martha Stewart, launched nationwide.
- **2026-05** — Marquee announced a definitive agreement with DAMAC Group for a majority interest in Roberto Cavalli, bringing announced portfolio retail sales to approximately $5 billion.
- **2026-04** — The Martha Stewart brand launched its first kitchen electrics collection exclusively in Amazon's stores.
- **2026-03** — The Bedford by Martha Stewart opened at Foxwoods Resort Casino.
- **2025-11** — Marquee acquired performance and lifestyle sock brand Stance and appointed United Legwear and Apparel Co. as core global licensee outside China.
- **2025-09** — Laura Ashley returned to UK retail through a partnership with NEXT and marked its centenary with a new campaign.
- **2025-05** — Marquee and Apparel Group opened the first Martha Stewart retail store in Dubai.
- **2025-01** — Marquee acquired Laura Ashley, retained its UK team and established its first European headquarters in London.

## Links

- Website: https://www.marqueebrands.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marqueebrands
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Marquee_Brands
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marqueebrands/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/marquee-brands
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-16