Yellow Wood Partners Announces Senior Leadership Changes at Paris Presents, Inc.

BOSTON, Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Yellow Wood Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm focused on investing in consumer brands and companies, announced today changes to the senior leadership team, effective March 1, at its portfolio company Paris Presents, Inc., a rapidly growing provider of branded cosmetic and bath accessories.

As part of a planned succession, Patrick O'Brien, Chief Executive Officer of Paris Presents, will become Vice-Chairman and will play a key role on the board with a focus on growth initiatives.  Bill George, currently CEO of Yellow Wood portfolio company Freeman Beauty, will become CEO of Paris Presents, with responsibility for the combined operation of Paris Presents Inc. and the recently integrated Freeman Beauty business.  Yellow Wood acquired Paris Presents in 2018 and merged it with its portfolio company Freeman Beauty, a leading specialty beauty company with a portfolio of brands across the skin care, hair care, foot care and specialty bath and body categories.

Dana Schmaltz, Founding Partner of Yellow Wood Partners and Chairman of Paris Presents, said, "We are fortunate to have been able to work closely with Patrick to consummate our investment in Paris Presents and the integration of Paris Presents and Freeman Beauty.  Patrick is a leader in our industry and we appreciate the work he has done over the past six years to build Paris Presents into an industry leader where his insights and contacts will help us grow the Company with additional brand acquisitions.  Likewise, Bill George has a proven track record of creating value and we are excited to see him assume the role of CEO to help propel Paris Presents to new levels.  Having worked closely with Bill, we are confident he has the leadership style and industry knowledge to help as we build Paris Presents through organic growth and additional brands acquisitions to strengthen the platform."

Mr. O'Brien, said "It's been an enjoyable run at Paris Presents leading our winning, growth-oriented team. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to continue this partnership in my new role as Vice-Chairman working with the Yellow Wood Partners team."  During his six-year tenure as CEO of Paris Presents, Mr. O'Brien helped triple sales, globally expanded the brand, and established Real Techniques® as a leader in the Cosmetic Accessories market. He was named the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Consumer and Retail Products in the Midwest Region. 

Mr. George brings a wealth of experience to his role with over 25 years of beauty experience.  In his current role as CEO of Freeman Beauty, he has jump started both the new product development and customer growth plans as well as worked with Yellow Wood to improve the company's global supply chain.  Prior to Freeman, Bill had a highly successful 25 year run at Markwins Beauty, where he drove significant growth through both organic and acquisition activity.  Mr. George said, "I am honored to lead the Paris Presents team at this exciting time.  Working with Yellow Wood we have successfully integrated the two companies and we are well positioned to build our brands globally.  I look forward to working with our partners at Yellow Wood to build on the company's success."

About Yellow Wood Partners
Yellow Wood Partners is a Boston-based private investment firm that invests exclusively in the consumer industry in the middle market.  The firm seeks to acquire branded consumer products that sell into a variety of consumer channels, including mass, drug, food, specialty, value, club and e-commerce. Yellow Wood's investment and operating strategy is based on utilizing the firm's functional operating resources to help maximize brand performance by driving organic growth and increasing operating efficiencies while acquiring additional brands into a limited number of platform companies in its concentrated investment portfolio.  For more information, please visit www.yellowwoodpartners.com.

About Freeman Beauty
As leaders in the beauty category for over 40 years, Freeman Beauty focuses on on-trend, nature inspired, fun, pampering, high-performing products at an accessible price. Prioritizing specialty beauty, Freeman Beauty offers a wide variety of easy to use, solution-based products across multiple categories.  The Company offers a wide range of facial masks, dry shampoo, specialty bath & body, and foot care products that provide a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home.  The brand portfolio includes category leading Freeman Feeling Beautiful facial masks, Freeman Beauty Infusion serum-infused facial masks, Freeman Bare Foot pampering foot care products, Freeman Psssst! dry shampoo, and c.Booth bath & body care products.

About Paris Presents
Founded in 1947, Paris Presents creates and distributes beauty products and personal care accessories to mass merchants, drug stores, specialty beauty stores, and online retailers.  Its comprehensive portfolio includes brands that are eco-conscious, digitally savvy, provide strong beauty education and deliver superior performance to a loyal consumer following.  Its #1 cosmetics accessories brands are Real Techniques©, maker of the #1 brand in cosmetic sponges; EcoTools©, cosmetics and bath accessories; Body Benefits by Body Image©, # 1 player in bath accessories as well as retailer brands.  Headquartered in Gurnee, Illinois, Paris Presents' portfolio of products can be found at major retailers throughout the U.S. and in over 60 additional markets globally.  For more information, visit www.parispresents.com.

Contact: Chris Tofalli
Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC
914-834-4334

SOURCE Yellow Wood Partners