Global Brands Group has been named international licensing representative and retail partner for the PGA TOUR throughout Europe, Asia (excluding Japan), Mexico and South America. Global Brands Group, which has been managing the PGA TOUR license through its previous license holder, will now manage licenses for PGA TOUR products including leisurewear, performance sportswear, accessories, hard lines and gifts.
Global Brands Group has also been appointed the PGA TOUR's retail partner and will develop proprietary retail concepts for the TOUR including PGA TOUR branded driving ranges and stores. Asian ranges and shops are targeted to open in Q2 2008.
“The PGA TOUR is an incredibly well known brand in the US, and increasingly so internationally, and being named international licensing representative affords us the opportunity to drive the brand forward in the global marketplace,” said Mark Matheny, co-CEO and co-chairman of Global Brands Group. “The strength of the PGA TOUR lifestyle brand lends itself to countless opportunities for product and retail expansion.”
“Golf is a global sport and the PGA TOUR brand represents the very best that the world of golf has to offer,” said Gary Schoenfeld, co-CEO and president of Global Brands Group. “Our company is focused on helping move brands forward and extending their reach into the global market. We think golf fans around the world will embrace the unique PGA TOUR branded products and experiences that we are working to deliver.”
“We chose Global Brands Group as a master licensee because of their innovative thinking and ability to extend brands globally,” said Leo McCullagh, vice president of retail licensing and consumer marketing for the PGA TOUR. “Europe, Asia, Mexico and South America are certainly emerging markets for the PGA Tour and having the right licensing partner will help us reach golf fans in those countries.”
Separately, Global Brands selected XP Events to handle all on-site merchandise concessions for select International Basketball Federation (FIBA) events including the upcoming FIBA America Championship 2007 in Las Vegas and FIBA Eurobasket in Spain. In March 2007, Global Brands Group was appointed exclusive master licensee and sole and exclusive licensing representative for all FIBA intellectual property through 2014. These rights include all FIBA marks including all logos, mascots, trophies, names of participating countries, and players' images.
“With NBA players such as Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Arroyo, and Anderson Varejao set to play in the FIBA America Championship 2007 in Las Vegas this summer, we anticipate tremendous media and fan attention surrounding the tournament,” said Gary Schoenfeld, co-CEO and president of Global Brands Group. “We wanted to have the best partners in place as we roll out our line of licensed merchandise designed especially for these events and we are confident XP will do a great job.”
XP Events, based in Denver, Colorado, is a leading turn-key retail merchandising partner for major sports organizations and world-class events, including the Phoenix Suns and the international cycling competition, Le Tour de France.
“We are honored to be selected by Global Brands Group and FIBA to work on these high profile sporting events,” said Alan Fey, President of XP Events. “These events will be viewed by millions of basketball fans around the world, and our on-site retail operations will be one of the key ways that Global Brands Group and FIBA can implement their brand strategy and achieve their marketing goals.”
“Having a partner like Global Brands Group and a seasoned event concessionaire like XP Events helps FIBA to further develop, extend and market its lifestyle brand to the basketball fans around the world, attending our most prestigious championships,” said Olivier Godallier, marketing manager for FIBA.
In November 2006 Global Brands Group, as the Federation Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA) Master Licensee, selected XP Events as the exclusive on-site merchandise concessionaire for all FIFA events from 2007 until 2010, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa.
