Pep Boys to License and Market Manny, Moe and Jack Trademarks

    PHILADELPHIA--April 21, 2003--The Pep Boys -- Manny, Moe and Jack the nation's leading automotive aftermarket retail and service chain today announced that it has retained Global Icons, LLC of Los Angeles, California to license and market Pep Boys-branded products.
    Much of the merchandise to be licensed will bear the well-known caricatures of Pep Boys' founders Emmanuel "Manny" Rosenfeld, Maurice "Moe" Strauss and W. Graham "Jack" Jackson.
    According to Pep Boys' CEO Mitchell G. Leibovitz, "This is the first major licensing effort we have made to leverage the incredible brand equity that exists with Manny, Moe and Jack. Global Icons has extensive knowledge launching, expanding and managing brand licensing campaigns and will help us continue to build our 82-year-old brand and further enhance our profitability."
    Global Icons will help Pep Boys open a new revenue stream by introducing and marketing its brand to channels outside the automotive aftermarket. Toy and apparel manufacturers and publishers will be among the various categories that Global Icons will target to market and license.

    About Pep Boys

    Pep Boys has 629 stores and over 6,500 service bays in 36 states and Puerto Rico. Along with its vehicle repair and maintenance capabilities, the company also serves the commercial auto parts delivery market and is one of the leading sellers of replacement tires in the United States. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS or by visiting pepboys.com.

    About Global Icons

    Global Icons is a premier licensing agency, specializing in the development and extension of corporate brands and trademarks, as well as entertainment properties. The company's mission is to increase brand awareness and create new revenue streams for their clients through the establishment of new products and distribution channels.