Brand Machine Group hires new CTO and COO Brand Machine Group (BMG) has appointed Ian Bristow to the newly created role of joint chief technology officer and chief operating officer, to support the group’s shift in strategy to direct-to-consumer, Drapers can reveal. Bristow was co-founder, director and CTO of Internet Fusion Group, which launched in 2006. The group established a network of 10 business-to-consumer ecommerce retailers including Surfdome, County Attire and Blackleaf. The move comes as Brand Machine Group (BMG) shifts from a predominantly wholesale and licensing business to include direct-to-consumer (DTC). BMG is an international fashion licensing group, housing adult and childrenswear brands including Jack Wills Kids, Lyle & Scott Junior, and Elle Junior.