CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., April 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Hot Topic, Inc. (Nasdaq:HOTT) announced today that John Kirkpatrick has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Chief Music Officer of the Hot Topic Division. John will oversee all aspects of the Hot Topic music experience, both in-store and on the Internet. He will report to Betsy McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Hot Topic, Inc.
John has over 17 years of experience in the music industry. Most recently, John spent three years as the Senior Vice President of Music and Creative Affairs at Paramount Pictures where he was responsible for all aspects of music for the film productions. From 1996 to 2003, John held positions within the A&R (Artist and Repertoire) division of the Elektra Entertainment Group. John also served as the Senior Director of A&R at Capitol Records/Revolution Recordings.
Hot Topic, Inc. is a national mall-based specialty retailer. Hot Topic offers apparel, accessories and gifts to young men and women principally between the ages of 12 and 22. Torrid, the company's second concept, provides plus-size fashion-forward apparel and accessories that target young women principally between the ages of 15 and 29. As of April 7, 2007 the company operated 696 Hot Topic stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, 131 Torrid stores, and Internet stores www.hottopic.com and www.torrid.com.
In addition to historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements, which include statements relating to the company's business and finances, and personnel and responsibilities. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties associated with meeting expected financial results, management of growth, relationships with mall developers and operators, and music artists and labels, fluctuations in sales and comparable store sales results, risks and uncertainties with respect to new store openings including risks associated with the company's new store concepts and Internet stores, music and fashion trends, competition from other retailers, uncertainties generally associated with specialty retailing, the effect of economic conditions, the effect of severe weather or natural disasters, political and/or social changes or events that could negatively impact shopping patterns and/or mall traffic, litigation proceedings and contingent liabilities, as well as other risks detailed in the company's SEC reports including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2007. Historical results achieved are not necessarily indicative of the future prospects of the company, and actual results or circumstances could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.