PR and influencer marketing support will spotlight Söfft and include the launch of Align
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 1, 2025) – French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s largest independently held PR, advertising and digital media agencies, today announced it has been selected as the PR and influencer marketing agency of record for H.H. Brown’s Söfft and Align™ brands. H.H. Brown has been a trusted leader in footwear for more than 140 years.
FWV will execute strategic media relations and influencer marketing campaigns to boost brand awareness for Söfft, a leading women’s footwear brand since 1927, which is best known for its stylish, comfort-driven shoes crafted with premium materials for everyday wear. The agency will also introduce Align, the newest addition to the H.H. Brown portfolio.
“French/West/Vaughan has a proven track record of working with an impressive client roster, and we are extremely pleased to add our name to that list,” said H.H. Brown Marketing Director Ryan Libby. “H.H. Brown has been crafting exceptional footwear for more than a century, and FWV understands how to build on that heritage to bring Söfft and Align to a new audience of consumers in fresh, innovative ways.”
H.H. Brown has always been at the forefront of footwear innovation, and its newest launch continues that tradition. The Align spring collection blends expert shoemaking with cutting-edge technology and modern style, offering a range of men’s footwear designed for exceptional comfort during everyday adventures. From sneakers and lace-ups to loafers and oxfords, Align shoes are crafted with thoughtful details that elevate both form and function. Combining the finest Italian leathers with an advanced, built-in footbed, Align brings together luxury, support and comfort to pave a new path in footwear.
“H.H. Brown is a legendary company in the footwear industry,” said FWV President David Gwyn. “We are honored to be a part of that legacy, bringing new attention to a long-loved brand in Söfft and filling a void for men’s footwear with its Align launch.”
With this partnership, FWV continues its own heritage in the footwear category, which has included work for Justin Boots and Tony Lama Boots (alongside H.H. Brown, another subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway), Fleet Feet, Hyer Boots, Cat Footwear, Heely’s and Sebago over its 28-year history.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is one of the nation’s leading public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., and founded in April 1997, FWV has received 36 Global or National Agency of the Year honors over the past 28 years, along with more than 1,700 PR, advertising and digital marketing awards on behalf of its global roster of blue-chip clients, which include Wrangler, ABB, Proximo, Melitta, Teen Cancer America, Mitsubishi Electric, N.A. and the N.C. Department of Transportation, among others. FWV is a partner in IPREX, a $380 million network of communication agencies with 1,600 staff and 110 offices worldwide. For more information, visit fwv-us.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Vimeo or Instagram.
About H.H. Brown
Founded in 1883 outside of Boston, H.H. Brown began with a simple vision: to craft the finest shoes and boots. Over the years, we’ve blended traditional shoemaking techniques with innovative design, creating iconic products like the Corcoran jump boots worn by military heroes in World War II. Our commitment to quality, durability, and ingenuity has earned us a trusted reputation. Today, our teams in Andover, Massachusetts and Greenwich, Connecticut design and manage our diverse portfolio of brands to deliver exceptional products that meet the needs of customers worldwide. Our portfolio includes Align, Børn, BØC, Carolina, Comfortiva, Corcoran, Dexter Bowling, Double-H Boots, EüroSoft, Korks, Kork-Ease, Matterhorn, Nurse Mates, Söfft, and Softspots.