Delgadillo, others quit Comune after dispute with investor

Click here to read the release from those remaining with the company.

Comune Founder Frank Delgadillo and nine of the brand’s employees quit en masse this week after a dispute with an investor, according to an email sent by Comune’s Vice President of Marketing.

Comune, started in 2008, mixed many influences including fashion, skate and art and landed in stellar accounts ranging from Jack’s to Urban Outfitters.

VP of Marketing Julie Shumaker described the investor’s move as a “hostile takeover” with the staff told the distribution model was going to change, and that some contributors and employees would be fired.

Shumaker said in the email that Comune was never meant to be a “mass market” brand and the team was not in it to make a quick buck.

The email hinted that the 10 key employees that quit may start something else.

Those employees are:

Frank Delgadillo (Founder and President)

Mike Quinones (Creative Director)

Mark Logan (Brand Manager)

Julie Shumaker (VP of Marketing)

Matt Davis (VP of Sales)

Clifford Lidell (Graphic Designer)

Kerri Banach (Designer)

Billy Garner (Marketing Coordinator)

Sean Ciminesi (West Coast sales)

Cory Heenan (East Coast sales)

Here is a link to a Shop-eat-surf interview with Frank Delgadillo when he launched Comune in 2008.

See Page 2 for the email from the vice president of marketing