The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. Names John Fontana President of International and Promotes Hope Margala Klein to Senior Vice President Brand Design and Innovation

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yankee Candle Company, Inc., the leading designer, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium scented candles, announced today that John Fontana has joined the company as President of the International Division and Hope Margala Klein has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Brand Design and Innovation.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101110/YANKEECANDLELOGO )

Fontana brings to Yankee Candle significant experience in the candle industry, as well as success in developing consumer growth strategies, and setting up effective International business platforms.  Most recently, Fontana has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Smith Mountain Industries, a mid sized candle company. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for Hot Stuff Foods and as Managing Director for Allied Capital's International & Portfolio Development. He has also held senior positions at Electrolux, LLC, Frito Lay and Deloitte and Touche.  

"We are very pleased to have an executive of John's caliber join our leadership team," said Harlan Kent, Chief Executive Officer of Yankee Candle. "John brings to Yankee Candle a strong background of working in International markets, as well as candle category and consumer brand experience. As we continue to focus on accelerating profitable growth for Yankee Candle's International businesses in 2011, John's strong leadership and strategic insights make him a perfect fit for the role. We look forward to John building on the success our International teams have had to date, and driving International household penetration of our Yankee Candle brands to match levels we have achieved in the U.S. market," said Kent.

"Yankee Candle is the industry leader and a highly recognized brand both in the United States and other countries," commented John Fontana. "The Company's International business has nearly tripled over the last three years and I look forward to working with the International team to continue our expansion into new markets while continuing to develop and grow our existing businesses. I am also excited to join a team and company which have set the standard for success in the candle industry."

Margala Klein has played several important leadership roles at Yankee Candle, most recently serving as Wholesale Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising, with a prior role as Retail General Merchandise Manager. Most of her earlier career was spent at Limited Brands where she held positions as Vice President, Category Leader for the Bath and Body Works Division, and Vice President, Group Product Director for the Victoria's Secrets Beauty Division. She has also held leadership positions at Longaberger Basket, Organized Living and American Eagle.

"Hope is a proven leader who has outstanding insights into the home fragrance category and our Yankee Candle consumer," said Kent.  "She will be instrumental in leading our expanded investment in consumer research, product development, and design.  We have a powerful Brand portfolio, and Hope will spearhead the marketing efforts to further expand on Yankee Candle's category leadership," said Kent.

About Yankee Candle

The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. is the leading designer, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium scented candles, based on sales, in the giftware industry.  Yankee Candle has a 41-year history of offering distinctive products and marketing them as affordable luxuries and consumable gifts.  The Company sells its products through a North American wholesale customer network of approximately 20,200 store locations, a growing base of Company owned and operated retail stores (515 Yankee Candle Stores located in 43 states as of January 1, 2011), direct mail catalogs, and its Internet website (www.yankeecandle.com).  Outside of North America, the Company sells its products primarily through its subsidiary, Yankee Candle Company (Europe), Ltd., which has an international wholesale customer network of approximately 5,000 store locations and distributors covering a combined 47 countries.

SOURCE Yankee Candle Company, Inc.