Hamburg-based association Laut gegen Nazis e.V. launches the “Fashion against Fascism” initiative together with Zalando and Spread Group.
- World’s largest database of coded far-right language launched with the support of Jung von Matt and other agencies
- The open source initiative collects right-wing extremist codes in order to actively combat their dissemination
- New powerful tool for online fashion platforms to keep Nazi codes off their marketplaces
- Partners across the German fashion industry who already joined the initiative include ABOUT YOU, Avocadostore, BAUR, bevh, bonprix, Fast Forward, Underpressure and Vinted
Following the globally acclaimed “Recht gegen Rechts” campaign, Hamburg-based association Laut gegen Nazis e.V. is taking the next step in the fight against the spread of far-right codes in collaboration with Jung von Matt. Together with co-initiators Zalando and Spread Group and other partners from the fashion industry such as ABOUT YOU, Avocadostore, BAUR, bevh, bonprix, Fast Forward, Underpressure and Vinted they are launching the new “Fashion against Fascism” initiative. The aim: to create the largest online database for Nazi codes in order to curb the spread of right-wing extremist messages in the fashion industry. With posts on social media and on the campaign site fashionagainstfascism.com the initiative calls on the participation of the global fashion industry.
What’s behind the database?
The current database consists of almost 200 codes that are being used by far-right extremists to spread hate in society. This database is curated and constantly updated with insider information and anonymous user input on new emerging Nazi codes. Thanks to an API (Application Programming Interface), the database can be used by any brand that joins the initiative against the spread of far- right codes. A web crawler makes it easy for brands to check whether such codes are spreading through their own online marketplace without them knowing it.
More attention for the “Fashion against Fascism” campaign
The idea for the campaign was developed by the Berlin advertising agency Jung von Matt and is the follow-up to the successful “rights against the right” campaign. It was supported by 02100 Digital, responsible for programming the database solution, and the Berlin branch of the Swedish communications agency Redgert Comms. Together with Laut gegen Nazis e.V., the agencies are contributing pro bono in order to counter the rise of far-right ideologies in Germany, against which hundreds of thousands of people are currently demonstrating nationwide.
Jörn Menge, chairman Laut gegen Nazis e.V. explains:
“Experience from the ‘rights against the right’ campaign has shown that trademark law also reaches its limits in the fight against Nazis. But we aren’t satisfied with that. Where the legislator is not able to act sufficiently against the spread of right-wing extremist hate messages, we are now doing something. We also want to motivate other players in the fashion industry to get involved to help to create a safe environment for everyone.”
How Zalando, Spread Group, ABOUT YOU and Vinted use the new database
“Zalando stands for diversity, inclusion, respect and openness. The ‘Fashion against Fascism’ initiative is a valuable addition to the strict product, content and brand guidelines we already have in place. Integrating the data from this new open source database into our systems will allow us to more actively combat right-wing extremism and its ever-changing symbols on our platform. We hope that our initial alliance with other players in the fashion industry will continue to grow in order to send a clear signal against right-wing extremist ideas. Only together can we prevent products with questionable imprints from being distributed or sold,” explains Pascal Brun, Vice President Sustainability and Diversity & Inclusion at Zalando.
The mechanics work in a similar way at Spread Group. The global provider of individualized fashion and lifestyle products is expanding its existing database in this way. This will make it even more difficult to print garments with Nazi codes from now on. “As an open platform, we defined community standards a long time ago and established review processes to exclude discriminatory or inflammatory content. A larger team uses a multi-stage, software-supported review process to ensure that anti- democratic motifs or texts are not published and produced on our platform in the first place. The ‘Fashion against Fascism’ initiative helps us to join forces to prevent the spread of right-wing extremist symbols and to react automatically and on a daily basis to newly developed symbols. Our support for the open source database demonstrates our commitment to finding innovative ways to actively combat hate and discrimination,” says Julian de Grahl, CEO of the Spread Group.
“ABOUT YOU Group employs around 1500 colleagues from 77 different nationalities. For this reason alone, diversity is deeply rooted in our corporate culture. It is fundamental for us to take our corporate responsibility seriously, not only in relation to our colleagues, but also towards society. We firmly believe that collaboration and transparency are the keys to drive change throughout the industry. That’s why we support the idea of the new open source database and hope that many more companies will join the initiative,” says Tarek Müller, co-founder and co-CEO of the ABOUT YOU Group.
Adam Jay, CEO Vinted Marketplace adds: “We’re committed to making the Vinted platform a safe environment for every member of our community. This includes extensive policies and tools to prevent the dissemination of content associated with fascist ideologies. In line with this commitment, we fully support the initiative ‘Fashion again Fascism’, recognising the collective responsibility of online fashion marketplaces to help mitigate right extremism.“
About Laut gegen Nazis e.V.
The Laut gegen Nazis e.V. association has been fighting for our democracy and freedom for 20 years with initiatives, concert tours and protest actions. In the process, many campaigns have been launched, such as “Recht gegen Rechts”, which have raised awareness among millions of people worldwide. The association’s biggest supporters include Die Fantastischen Vier, Die Sportfreunde Stiller, Peter Lohmeyer and Culcha Candela.
About Zalando
Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando is building the leading pan-European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce around two growth vectors: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to- Business (B2B). In B2C, we offer an inspiring and quality multi-brand shopping experience for fashion and lifestyle products to about 50 million active customers in 25 markets. In B2B, we are using our logistic infrastructure, software and service capabilities to help brands and retailers run and scale their entire e-commerce business, on or off Zalando. As an ecosystem, Zalando aims to enable positive change for the fashion and lifestyle industry.
About Spread Group
Spread Group is a global provider of individualized fashion and lifestyle products. With the brands Spreadshirt, Teamshirts, Spreadshop and SPREAD, it offers consumers, companies and content creators digital services for the individualization of fashion and lifestyle products. The common basis for all of the Spread Group’s services is a flexible software platform that enables deep vertical integration along the value chain. This includes not only product design, marketing and sales via marketplaces and online stores, but also production, payment processing, global shipping and customer service. With the Fashion Tech Fund Spread Ventures, Spread Group makes targeted investments in young technology companies that share Spread Group’s vision of more sustainable fashion production or distribution. The made-to-order pioneer was founded in Leipzig in 2002 and today operates four production facilities in the USA and Europe. In 2022, Spread Group manufactured over ten million products to order for customers in more than 170 countries and generated sales of more than 175 million euros.
Press contact
Mayra Koziollek, Spread Group
t: +49 173 599 4108
Frank Bartelt is joining Spread Group, the leading global supplier of personalized fashion and lifestyle products, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, he will focus on further optimization of customer-centered processes, new technologies, and a large-scale expansion of the product range.
The aim is to tap into potential new scaling opportunities, as well as continuing to improve product quality and investing in new finishing techniques. Frank Bartelt hopes to expand tech-based solutions at market leader Spread Group and invest more in areas such as automation and robotics on the operations side.
The qualified economist is joining the organization after a four-year stint as COO of Picanova (The Customization Group). He previously spent over seven years in managerial roles at online fashion retailer Zalando. Inspired by Spread Group’s background and the vision of its founders, he hopes to contribute his industry experience to aspects such as scaling and sustainability.
Frank Bartelt on his new role as COO at Spread Group:
“Operations is responsible for the lion’s share of value creation, playing a key role in Spread Group’s growth and development. The Group has huge potential. To enhance this further, I want to boost the tech element, invest in new finishing technologies, and ensure quality continues to improve in all processes involving the customer.”
Spread Group-CEO Dr. Julian de Grahl explains:
“In Frank Bartelt, Spread Group is bringing on board a wealth of expertise to help grow our operations. In his previous roles in the industry, he’s shown he’s capable of creating significant momentum to drive agile company growth, with a focus on tech innovations and a service-based approach. This ethos is also aligned with our corporate philosophy. We look forward to working together to develop Spread Group along this track.”
About Spread Group
Spread Group is a global supplier of personalized fashion and lifestyle products. With the brands Spreadshirt, Teamshirts, Spreadshop and SPREAD, it provides consumers, organizations and content creators with digital services for personalizing fashion and lifestyle products.
All Spread Group services share a common foundation: a flexible software platform enabling significant vertical integration along the value chain. In addition to everything from product design, sales and marketing to marketplaces and online shops, this also includes production, payment processing, global shipping and customer service.
With fashion tech fund Spread Ventures, Spread Group makes targeted investment in new tech companies who share its vision for more sustainable production and distribution in the fashion industry.
The made-to-order pioneer was founded in Leipzig in 2002 and now operates four production sites in the US and Europe. In 2022, Spread Group made over 10 million products to order for customers in over 170 countries, notching up revenues of over €175 million.
www.spreadyourstyle.com
www.spreadshirt.com/
www.spreadshop.com
www.spread.ventures
Press representative
Nora Kulling, Spread Group
t: +49 160 98615695
Leading global supplier of personalized fashion and lifestyle products Spread Group has appointed Ferdinand von Humboldt as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Humboldt’s key responsibilities will include continuing to strengthen Spread Group’s financial power and capacity for innovation and implementing a corporate strategy focused on growth, innovation and verticalization alongside the leadership team.
Ferdinand von Humboldt brings to the Group many years of operational and strategic experience in finance. His career has taken him from strategic consultancy Roland Berger and a management buy-out of a former Zalando subsidiary to CFO roles with global tech and service companies.
His future objectives include creating the necessary financial conditions to implement the corporate strategy developed under Spread Group CEO Dr. Julian de Grahl. Another aim is to drive expansion of new business areas Lifestyle & Fashion (www.spreadyourstyle.com), B2B & Corporate Merchandise (www.teamshirts.de and www.gomula.com) and Sports & Live Entertainment (including “Rock am Ring” and “Rock im Park”). Conducting further M&A activities and expanding Spread Ventures (www.spread.ventures) are among the other items waiting in his in-tray.
Ferdinand von Humboldt on his appointment:
“I’ve known of Spread Group since my time studying business at what is now HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. In 2002, Spread Group was Germany’s most innovative and disruptive start-up success story. I’d now like to drawn on my expertise to help boost Spread Group’s focus on its original DNA, marked by innovation and disruption.”
Spread Group-CEO Dr. Julian de Grahl explains:
“We’re delighted to further strengthen our leadership team with the arrival of Ferdinand von Humboldt. Over the past year, we’ve already added a great deal of industry experience in the shape of Lothar Reiff and Frederik Brakel. Ferdinand’s strong background in corporate finance will help us move further ahead with implementation of our strategic initiatives. We look forward to Ferdinand’s active input and strategic expertise in this area.”
About Spread Group
Spread Group is a global supplier of personalized fashion and lifestyle products. With the brands Spreadshirt, Teamshirts, Spreadshop and SPREAD, it provides consumers, organizations and content creators with digital services for personalizing fashion and lifestyle products.
All Spread Group services share a common foundation: a flexible software platform enabling significant vertical integration along the value chain. In addition to everything from product design, sales and marketing to marketplaces and online shops, this also includes production, payment processing, global shipping and customer service.
With fashion tech fund Spread Ventures, Spread Group makes targeted investment in new tech companies who share its vision for more sustainable production and distribution in the fashion industry.
The made-to-order pioneer was founded in Leipzig in 2002 and now operates four production sites in the US and Europe. In 2022, Spread Group made over 10 million products to order for customers in over 170 countries, notching up revenues of over €175 million.
www.spreadyourstyle.com
www.spreadshirt.com/
www.spreadshop.com
www.spread.ventures
Press representative
Nora Kulling, Spread Group
t: +49 (0)341 594 00 5381
Next Gen Fashion Tech Brings Customisable Merch to #G2Army
G2 Esports is bringing made-to-order merch to its teams’ supporters with Spread Group’s cutting edge print-on-demand technology. The worldwide licensing deal includes G2 Esports and their mascot G2 Sam. Merch will also be available on Amazon.
G2 Esports’ 40m-strong community can now enhance its sense of belonging with customisable clothing. Players compete in League of Legends, VALORANT, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite and Sim Racing.
Made-to-order merch means the #G2Army can choose a style, fit and colour to suit them, within their esport’s brand guidelines. Spread Group’s global reach means G2 Esports can connect with its worldwide community with this offering. It is the top most talked about and watched esports club with over 50% of its fans in EMEA.
Fans can celebrate the skill and professionalism of their favorite team and players with delightful items like a team poster, hoodie or beanie. Plus G2 Sami features too, with Many Moods of Sami on t-shirts and other merch.
Supporters can buy via Spreadshirt, or have the option to buy direct from Amazon, where customisation will also be possible.
Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s Head of Licensing said:
“Made-to-order merch is a perfect fit for gaming and esports. Pro and amateur gamers, along with their fans, can develop their sense of community with team merch. Print-on-demand makes customisation possible, so everyone get an item they are proud to wear.”
He continues:
“Made-to-order also has impressive sustainability credentials as nothing is created until it is ordered. This reduces waste and because consumers are invested in their order, and their team, the returns are very low; below 2%. It offers gamers, fans and brands a new, sustainable aspect merch”.
Full list of products:
T-Shirts, Long Sleeves Shirts, Hoodies, Sweat-Shirts, Zip Hoodies, College Jackets, Drawstring Bags, Tote Bags, Drawstring Bags, Shoulder Bags, Waist Bags, Mugs, Water Bottles, Lunch Boxes, Stickers, Caps, Beanies, Hats, Pillowcases, Posters, Magnets, Coasters, Trousers (leggings)
Full list of brands and links: https://bit.ly/3PUybcL
Download-Link Pictures:
About G2 Esports
G2 is the most entertaining esports organization in the world – end of discussion. Known for having the best players and rosters, the company has dominated the global stage since its inception in 2015, securing countless major tournament victories, several industry awards and exciting partnership collaborations in the process. Entertainment is the essence of everything G2 does, with the esports brand rated number one for social engagement through multiple regions worldwide.
During its eight years of domination, G2 has built a global fanbase of over 40 million fans spanning EMEA, North America, Asia and Latin America. Boasting an Instagram following of 1.3 million and Twitter followers in excess of 1.2 million, the G2 community follows every twist and turn of the most captivating stories created by the organization within the esports scene and beyond.
International household name brands are increasingly recognising the opportunities that esports can offer to tap into an engaged new audience and are partnering with G2 as a credible way to be part of this movement. G2 currently counts the likes of Logitech, Red Bull, Herman Miller, Oakley, Ralph Lauren, Jägermeister and Mastercard amongst its strategic commercial partners.
Over 150 players, content creators, and employees are at the heart of G2, taking the team from an esports brand at its core to a global, recognisable, lifestyle and entertainment brand.
More information is available at: https://g2esports.com
About Spread Group
Spread Group is a global provider of customized fashion and lifestyle products. With the brands SPREAD, Spreadshirt, Teamshirts and Spreadshop, Spread Group offers consumers, companies, and content creators digital services for the individualization of fashion and lifestyle products. The common basis of all Spread Group service offerings is a flexible software platform that enables deep vertical integrations along the value chain. This includes not only product design, marketing and sales via marketplaces and online stores, but also production, payment processing, worldwide shipping and customer service. The made-to-order pioneer founded in 2002, in Leipzig, Germany, now operates four production sites in the U.S. and Europe and has annual revenues of over 175 million Euros. Spread Group has more than 20 million customers in over 170 countries.
Press Contact
Nora Kulling, Spread Group
t: +49 (0)341 594 00 5381
Next Gen Merch: Sustainability and a Sense of Belonging within Brand Guidelines
Leipzig/London, 13th September 2023 – Over 20 brand names under Hasbro Licensed Consumer Products will become available on the next generation fashion platform, Spreadshirt. By adding this impressive new signing, Spread Group – the parent company of Spreadshirt – looks to exceed expectations in 2023.
The deal will cover brands from PEPPA PIG and MONOPOLY to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, in addition to the newly beloved BLYTHE, featured alongside all-time favourites MR. POTATO HEAD and MY LITTLE PONY.
There’s even something for the tabletop gaming lover too. As DUNGEONS & DRAGONS came to the big screen, Hasbro will offer Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves merchandise via Spread Group. MAGIC: THE GATHERING will also benefit from customisable styles.
Fans will be able to choose from MONOPOLY umbrellas, Transformers: EarthSpark ‘Unity is Power’ caps and G.I. JOE sweatshirts. Additionally, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans can emblazon their hoodies with the maxim ‘Fight Tyranny, Defend the Oppressed, Ask Nothing in Return.
Sven Burscher, Spread Group’s Head of Licensing said:
“Choosing their own styles offers fans a new aspect to their merch. Our made-to-order technology impresses Gen Z with its sustainability credentials. Being able to tweak their item gives fans a strong sense of loyalty to the brands they love. It can also all be done within the brand merch guidelines. We’re delighted to be working with Hasbro to bring this merchandise to market”.
Sustainability is an increasingly important element in merchandising deals. Underpinning Spread Group’s offering to brands is its print-on-demand technology. This reduces waste because no item is printed until it is ordered. So, there’s no overstocking or discarded sizes. It also brings down the likelihood of returns, as customers invest in a style and size to suit them.
Hasbro brands already available at Spread Group include:
- PEPPA PIG
- TRANSFORMERS
- My little Pony
- Power Rangers
- Furby
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
- Magic The Gathering
- Monopoly
- PJ Masks
Additional Links:
About Hasbro
Hasbro is a leading toy and game company whose mission is to entertain and connect generations of fans through the wonder of storytelling and exhilaration of play. Hasbro delivers engaging brand experiences for global audiences through toys, consumer products, gaming and entertainment, with a portfolio of iconic brands including MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, Hasbro Gaming, NERF, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH and PEPPA PIG, as well as premier partner brands.
Hasbro is guided by our Purpose to create joy and community for all people around the world, one game, one toy, one story at a time. For more than a decade, Hasbro has been consistently recognized for its corporate citizenship, including being named one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media, one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute and one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the U.S. by the Civic 50. For more information, visit https://corporate.hasbro.com.
About Spread Group
Spread Group is a global provider of customized fashion and lifestyle products. With the brands SPREAD, Spreadshirt, Teamshirts and Spreadshop, Spread Group offers consumers, companies, and content creators digital services for the individualization of fashion and lifestyle products. The common basis of all Spread Group service offerings is a flexible software platform that enables deep vertical integrations along the value chain. This includes not only product design, marketing and sales via marketplaces and online stores, but also production, payment processing, worldwide shipping and customer service. The made-to-order pioneer founded in 2002, in Leipzig, Germany, now operates four production sites in the U.S. and Europe and has annual revenues of over 175 million Euros. Spread Group has more than 20 million customers in over 170 countries.
Press Contact
Nora Kulling, Spread Group
t: +49 (0)341 594 00 5381
TeamShirts becomes the official jersey sponsor of the Handball-Bundesliga team SC DHfK Leipzig. With the beginning of the 2023/24 season, the teamwear supplier from Leipzig will take over the production and the printing of the DHfK handball team’s apparel.
The new jersey for the upcoming 2023/24 season, featuring the TeamShirts logo on its sleeves, was unveiled at the SC DHfK Leipzig Media Day on Friday, July 14. Starting today, the green and white jerseys will be available in the online shop at www.scdhfk-handball.de/fanshop. Fans can also equip themselves with merchandise to support their team from the stands or from home, keeping with the TeamShirts motto “There’s a team behind the shirts”.
In the “decade of handball”, TeamShirts is excited about the collaborative partnership with SC DHfK and the opportunity to promote handball and give it visibility. At the same time, the cooperation helps the e-commerce company grow in the areas of performance team wear and merchandising
Here’s the official trailer jersey.
Im „Jahrzehnts des Handballs“ freut sich TeamShirts über die partnerschaftliche Zusammenarbeit mit dem SC DHfK und die Gelegenheit, den Handballsport zu fördern und diesem mehr Sichtbarkeit zu verleihen. Gleichzeitig verhilft die Kooperation dem eCommerce-Unternehmen in den Bereichen Performance Teamwear und Merchandising weiter zu wachsen.
Elmar Kühner, Director of TeamShirts:
“At SC DHfK’s matches, there is a phenomenal atmosphere: the team performs at its best and stands united, while the fans are fully engaged. It’s contagious and exactly what we stand for – team spirit and quality.”
Karsten Günther, Managing Director SC DHfK Handball:
“This collaboration is a true milestone in our development, which benefits our members, partners, and fans in particular. TeamShirts’ clear commitment to SC DHfK makes us very proud, and I look forward to many exciting joint projects and creations.”
Related Links
- More images can be found here
- SC DHfK Fanshop
- TeamShirts Website
- DHfK Website
Spread Group, leading global provider of customized fashion and lifestyle products, appoints Nora Kulling as its new Vice President Marketing. She is an experienced marketing and brand expert who will further develop the marketing strategy and brand-building process and drive the development of specialized marketing teams.
Prior to joining the Spread Group, Kulling held executive positions for marketing and branding in various companies for ten years, including almost eight years at Mister Spex – most recently there as Head of Brand Management. From her point of view, it is “more important than ever to produce relevant content to get closer to your target group and build a connection with the brand. The days of scaling via pure performance marketing without a stringent brand strategy are over. Brands without clear positioning will be punished by consumers.”
Right at the start of her job in March 2023, she was involved in the launch of the new fashion and lifestyle brand SPREAD. For the associated marketing campaign, a radically different communication approach was chosen compared to the Spreadshirt umbrella brand. “For the SPREAD marketing campaign, very clear brand positioning was important to us. Therefore, in line with the target group (Gen Z and Y), we focused entirely on social media and entertainment networks. In addition, we foregrounded the community idea,” says Kulling.
Nora Kulling says about her new task and focus:
“After extremely successful expansion over the past 20 years, we need to break new ground for further sustainable growth and diversify the marketing mix. I would like to effectively shape this process of change, which can only be successful with the right communicative orientation. My goal is to further strengthen Spread Group as a relevant fashion tech player and to develop love brands with high recognition value, likeability and brand loyalty. I am looking forward to the great design opportunities, especially with Spread Group’s focus on brand building, for which I see huge potential. As an end customer, I already have a long personal relationship with the company.”
Spread Group CEO Dr Julian de Grahl explains:
“Creative marketing concepts are important success factors to strengthen and expand our global presence. This includes, in particular, strengthening our content strategy and building branding and social media expertise. We are therefore looking forward to Nora’s fresh look and expertise.”
Photo Material for Download
- Nora Kulling, VP Marketing (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
SPREAD: The next generation fashion & lifestyle brand with a radically new approach, offering what Genzennials like most: individualization and personalization. The global launch will happen in Berlin on Friday, April 28th, during Gallery Weekend. With a surprise campaign starring some of Berlin’s coolest DJs, Musicians, actors and artists. And a big bash of 800 selected guests at a secret location.
The SPREAD USP, “created to create,” is a fashion revolution! Customers can select their own personal design on demand using a “creative toolbox” which includes bold graphics, prints and embroideries. And exclusive artworks designed by collaborating artists.
All made to order and delivered within the next days.
The first SPREAD drop is a cool and unique streetstyle capsule. A curated selection of unisex, everyday essentials and powerful, iconic styles. Inspired by contemporary urban culture, it is cool, relaxed, oversized: hoodies, crew necks, t-shirts, long sleeves, zip hoodies, sweatpants and shorts. Produced in Portugal and made from 100% organic cotton. All styles exclusively available globally at the new SPREAD online shop: spreadyourstyle.com
The SPREAD story starts in Berlin, with an ambitious plan to spread globally. Masterminded by Lothar Reiff, Chief Product & Brand Advisor for SPREAD GROUP and a well known fashion and lifestyle visionaire. Together with the young SPREAD team of fashion designers, graphic artists and specialists, headed by Michael Kampe, Creative Director Fashion of SPREAD GROUP (formerly Armedangels Creative Director). SPREAD GROUP Chief Commercial Officer is Frederik Brakel (formerly Zalando and Central Group Europe / KaDeWe).
SPREAD engaged renowned Creative Director Donald Schneider to develop the innovative communication, “from local to global.” With a community-building launch campaign concept, for which he and his team worked together with upcoming star photographer Vitali Gelwich and stylist Claudia Hofmann. Featuring the “Berlin Squad” campaign stars:
- AARON ALTARAS, actor & musician @aaronaltaras
- DANIA, musician & model @ddaniamacias
- LSDXOXO, musician & DJ @lsdxoxo
- MAGO DOVJENKO, artist @iammago
- VTSS, musician & DJ @vtss.pl
Artist Mago Dovjenko, photographer Vitali Gelwich and artist Jeroen Erosie designed special artworks exclusively for this first SPREAD collection. More collaborations are being planned.
Friday, April 28th, the launch campaign will start on all social media channels, with lots of buzz and media coverage. Berlin will get plastered with the #spreadberlin campaign posters. And in the evening, there will be a big launch party for 800 selected guests at a secret location. Orchestrated by Berlin nightlife impresario Henok Tsehaye. With a cool booking of hot music acts and DJs, like Dania, Alcatraz, Nunguja, Bill Kouligas, Josh Johnson, Anyang Anyang, Rafi Sinn, and special surprise performances.
Dr. Julian de Grahl, CEO of SPREAD GROUP:
“With SPREAD, we are utilizing our proven made-to-order technology in a disruptive way and are creating a unique, digital fashion and lifestyle brand. At the core of it is our successful USP of personalization and individualization. Which is exactly what the fashion world is longing for, including digitalization and sustainability. And what the Genzennials value most: personality and consciousness.”
SPREAD THE WORD! SPREAD YOUR STYLE! SPREAD: good vibes, awareness, warmth, creativity, individuality, from Berlin to the world.
PHOTO & VIDEO MATERIAL FOR PRESS: campaign photos (photographer: Vitali Gelwich), campaign videos, campaign posters, BTS photos
Spread Group is the exclusive and official merchandise partner of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. For at least two years, the global provider of customized and sustainable fashion products will make an appearance with their consumer brand Spreadshirt. Following recent collaborations with Netflix and Universal Products & Experiences, Spread Group will for the first time distribute fanwear in the live entertainment sector, on-site and through online shops. With additional merchandising products that complement the online offering, the fashion-tech company Spread Group will also keep the festival feeling alive in the aftermath of the event.
In doing so, Spread Group will take over the design creation and production of all merch products for Rock am Ring and Rock im Park for the 2023 and 2024 festival seasons. Online sales will take place via the official websites of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park with integrated online shops, as well as on Spreadshirt’s marketplaces. In addition, products will be distributed on the Rock am Ring (#RAR2023) and Rock im Park (#RIP2023) social media platforms, such as the YouTube Merch Shelf.
The online offers allow visitors to get their festival package with T-shirts, hoodies, caps, tote bags, drinking bottles and mugs before the festival weekend. From June 2 to 4, more than 160,000 music fans are expected to attend the two festivals. Spread Group has received an exclusive license from eventimpresents GmbH & Co. KG c/o CTS Eventim AG & Co KGaA.
Frithjof Pils, Managing Director Eventim Live:
“In Spread Group, we have found a strategic partner that will enable us to provide a comprehensive online availability of a diverse merch portfolio, in addition to an attractive merch offering on site. I am sure that this cooperation with its associated offer will help us succeed in conveying the unique festival feeling and the shared passion for Rock am Ring and Rock im Park.”
Dr. Julian de Grahl, CEO Spread Group:
“With the exclusive license of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, we are continuing our path of offering high-quality designs to customers in the fanwear segment with convincing, sustainable product quality. The multichannel approach with sales on site and through online shops facilitates a multifaceted portfolio with diverse campaigns, while offering the opportunity to rethink and expand festival merch as such.”
Photo Material for Download
- Model photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Icons and Organic Hoodie Shothole Skull (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Model photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Guitar Angel red (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Model photo Rock am Ring Organic Totebag Skull in Space (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Model photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Icons front (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Product photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Icons back (png, Copyright Spread Group)
- Product photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Icons front (png, Copyright Spread Group)
- Product photo Rock am Ring Organic T-Shirt Guitar Angel red (png, Copyright Spread Group)
- Product photo Rock am Ring Organic Hoodie Shothole Skull (png, Copyright Spread Group)
- Product photo Rock am Ring Organic Totebag Skull in Space (png, Copyright Spread Group)
Related Links
The fashion AI startup “SAIZ” has secured a pre-seed investment from Spread Ventures in its first financing round. The newly founded VC fund “Spread Ventures” (part of Spread Group) will participate in the Berlin-based company SAIZ as lead investor with a six-figure sum. SAIZ is an AI-based solution to reduce returns in the fashion industry. It is the business idea of the two founders Svenja Tegtmeier and Marita Sanchez de la Cerda.
The fashion AI startup “SAIZ”
Returns are a key problem for the fashion industry, especially for online retailers. More than half of online purchases are returned due to problems with size and fit. This not only creates significant costs for brands and retailers, but also accounts for a large portion of the industry’s CO2 emissions. SAIZ addresses this problem by using Artificial Intelligence and NLP to optimize sizes and fits for fashion brands – recommending the right size to customers based on their body measurements and preferences. The B2B SaaS platform also provides real-time data analytics and insights that help companies make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. As a first-of-its-kind solution, SAIZ creates product-specific 3D measurements for each garment and matches them with each customer’s body measurements.
The two founders previously founded a fashion label themselves. They used AI and data analysis to translate their experience in the fashion industry into an innovative size and fitting solution for the e-commerce and fashion industry, which they further developed together with well-known brands and online retailers.
The Spread Ventures x SAIZ investment
The financing at SAIZ is Spread Ventures’ first investment and a milestone for the company and the industry. The lead investment has been joined by other angel investors from the fashion and e-commerce industries – a reflection of the potential of the solution and the strength of the team behind it. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate product development, expand the team and drive growth.
SAIZ is poised to transform the fashion industry and help brands reduce returns, improve customer satisfaction and become more sustainable.
Marita Sanchez de la Cerda, co-founder of SAIZ on the investment from lead-investor Spread Ventures:
“SAIZ and Spread Ventures are a perfect match. We are super excited to build a sustainable fashion tech future together with a lead investor with the same ambitions.”
Robin Nitsch, Head of Ventures and Innovations at Spread Group on the investment in SAIZ:
“SAIZ is the first solution that actually works and is proven to reduce returns. As a result, fashion brands and retailers can not only save on logistics costs, but also reduce their CO2 footprint at the same time. SAIZ fits perfectly with our mission to establish sustainable solutions in the fashion industry and to support Spread Group in its transformation into a fashion tech company. With our investment and close partnership, we can combine personalized products with perfect fit, something that has not been found in the market so far.”
New VC fund “Spread Ventures”
The newly founded investment fund Spread Ventures is Europe’s first VC that specializes in fash-ion tech startups in the pre-seed and seed phase. Commenting on the investment strategy, Robin Nitsch, Head of Ventures and Innovations, says: “We are looking for the best teams in Europe (and beyond) to invest in technology-based startups with innovative solutions for a more sustainable fashion and e-commerce industry. The fashion industry is at an inflection point – pushed by new web3 technologies and ESG requirements, sustainability awareness of consumer generation Z and legislators. These trends and technologies will significantly change the fashion industry in the coming years, from 3D product design to greener materials and production processes to virtual collections, social commerce and circularity solutions. With our startup partners, we want to develop answers to these market trends, share our industry knowledge and test new concepts at scale.”
Related Links
Photo and Video Material
- Photo 1: SAIZ founders Svenja Tegtmeier and Marita Sanchez de la Cerda with Robin Nitsch, Head of Ventures and Innovation (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Photo 2: SAIZ founders Svenja Tegtmeier and Marita Sanchez de la Cerda (Copyright Spread Group)
- Photo 3: SAIZ founders Svenja Tegtmeier and Marita Sanchez de la Cerda in spread x SAIZ Hoodies (jpg, Copyright Spread Group)
- Video: Spread Ventures x SAIZ
About Spread Ventures
Spread Ventures GmbH is the first European early-stage venture fund to focus on pre-seed and seed investments in fashion tech companies, supporting them with operational industry exper-tise from the e-commerce and print-on-demand business. The company is a subsidiary of Spread Group, a technology-enabled global provider of individualized fashion and lifestyle products. Spread Ventures scouts and invests in technology-based start-ups with new solutions for a more sustainable fashion and e-commerce industry. The focus is on B2B and B2C startups in the areas of Fashion Tech // Digital Fashion & Metaverse // New Textiles & Circular Fashion // Creator Economy.
Contact: Robin.Nitsch@spreadgroup.com (Head of Ventures and Innovations)