USA: Bigwords Recruits General Merchandise Manager

Bigwords, a leading lifestyle brand and online destination for the 18-to 24-year-old college audience, today announced that Melvin Murry has joined the company as general merchandise manager. As general merchandise manager, Murry is responsible for overseeing lifestyle merchandising for Bigwords, setting the direction and style for the Gear business, specifically men's and women's apparel, shoes and accessories. Murry joins Bigwords from Urban Outfitters, where he was the divisional merchandise manager for men's apparel, men's accessories and Urban Renewal, the second-hand clothes segment of the business. Murry also held the position of manager of planning and distribution at Urban Outfitters. Prior to that, Murry spent five years as the retail operations manager a national retail chain in Melbourne, Australia. Murry has an MBA from the University of Virginia. "We are excited to welcome Melvin Murry to Bigwords," said Matt Johnson, CEO. "The combination of his fashion and merchandising expertise and the strength of our on-campus marketing network insures that Bigwords will remain on the cutting edge of trends and styles for our audience." Earlier this month, Bigwords announced an additional $30 million in financing from new investors NBC, WPP Group Plc and GE Financial Assurance as well as previous investors 21st Century Internet Venture Partners, GeoCapital Partners, Media Technology Ventures Ltd, Attractor Investor Management, Trans Cosmos USA, Inc and St Paul Venture Capital.