Russell Brands history

In 1926, Founder Ben Russell’s son, Benny, came to his dad with a new idea for an all-cotton practice football jersey replacing the itchy, chafing wool uniforms worn at that time.

Knowing the comfort and durability of cotton, the iconic crew neck sweatshirt began production in the Russell Athletic mills in 1930.

Benjamin Russell died on December 16, 1941 passing the company’s torch to his son Benjamin C. Russell.

In 1945, Benjamin C. Russell passed away succeeded by his brother Thomas D. Russell.

In 1962, Russell Manufacturing Company changed its name to Russell Mills, Inc. and began using the American Eagle to represent its iconic brand image.

Since 1976, sales revenues had increased by 13 percent annually.

Katy Perry, original name Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, (born October 25, 1984, Santa Barbara, California, United States), American pop singer who gained fame for a string of anthemic and often sexually suggestive hit songs, as well as for a playfully cartoonish sense of style.

On December 26, 1985, Russell’s Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Russell began adding other businesses to its portfolio beginning with the acquisition of the Cross Creek Golf brand.

In June 1988, Russell Corporation consisted of over 10,770 men and women, representing an employment growth of 3,800 over an 8-year period.

By 1990, the company owned and operated 13 sewing plants outside Alexander City and employed 15,000 workers.

Under president and CEO John C. Adams, Russell Corporation had become the top manufacturer of athletic uniforms in the US. In 1992, the company was awarded a five-year contract to be the exclusive producer and marketer of athletic uniforms for most MLB teams.

In 1997, Russell also ended its licensing deals with the professional football, basketball and hockey leagues.

Restructuring charges led Russell to post a net loss for fiscal year 1998 of $10.4 million on revenues of $1.18 billion.

Results for the first half of 1999 also showed a net loss of $12.9 million but the restructuring had resulted in a decrease in selling, general and administration costs of 13 percent.

As a teenager, she learned to play the guitar and sought a musical career in Nashville with a Christian record label, but her debut album, the gospel-influenced Katy Hudson (2001), sold poorly.

In May 2002, Russell celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Russell continued its acquisition spree in 2004 by purchasing American Athletic Inc. (AAI), Huffy Corp.'s sports division and Brooks Sports.

The company faced challenges in 2005 due to rising costs and falling sales.

Conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired Russell Corporation for $600 million in early 2006.

In 2007, however, Capitol Records put out Perry’s EP Ur So Gay, which attracted modest attention for its cheerfully flippant title track.

The resulting release, Teenage Dream (2010), which provided a broader showcase for her full-throated voice, was even more commercially successful than One…

Since 2012, Russell Athletic has awarded a $50,000 grant to one high school that has demonstrated perseverance through sports.