Oakley has signed an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Fox Racing for sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear. As the exclusive licensee, Oakley will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of these products worldwide.
“Fox is the most recognized and best-selling brand of motocross apparel in the world,” commented Oakley Chief Executive Officer Jim Jannard. “Additionally, Fox has deep roots in action sports and is highly respected by the fashion-conscious youth-lifestyle market. Our new partnership will allow us to combine our experience and design capabilities to develop sunglasses and goggles bearing the Fox logo for this key target demographic. This license will also allow us to leverage our manufacturing and distribution infrastructure around the world.”
“Oakley is hands down the most technically innovative brand in the eyewear industry,” says Fox Creative Officer Pete Fox. “We're excited to have the opportunity to collaborate on the design of fashion eyewear and performance goggles that feature Oakley technology because we know they'll be the best in the world.”
All Fox eyewear will feature Oakley's proprietary, impact-resistant lenses. Technical highlights include Oakley's patented XYZ Optics(r) that promotes visual clarity at all angles of view, injection-molding that cuts visual haze and optical distortion, as well as Plutonite lens material that blocks 100% of all UV and harmful blue light.
The launch plan, to begin in 2005, calls for the introduction of two to four eyewear styles, followed up with a goggle adapted both for snow and offroad motorsports activities by the fall of 2006.
Specific terms of the deal that runs through December 31, 2008 were not released.
