Newcastle United’s head of licensing, Leigh Simpson on why the club is entering “one of the most exciting chapters” in its history.
LicensingSource.net catches up with a number of exhibitors at Brand Licensing Europe (24-26 September at London’s ExCeL) within the sports arena to find out more on their licensing programmes, what’s coming up and why being at the show is so important to them.
Today: Newcastle United.
Newcastle United (stand E247) is using BLE to kick start its licensing programme, something which Leigh Simpson – the club’s head of licensing – describes as “one of the most exciting chapters” in its history.
“From a retail and licensing perspective, we are aligning Newcastle United with the world’s biggest football brands,” Leigh comments. “Bolstered by a prestigious new partnership with adidas, we will use the power of brand licensing to give our global community enhanced access to quality, locally relevant products.”
Leigh will be looking to meet with licensees to discuss opportunities in both traditional and non traditional categories, domestic and international.
“Supporters are central to everything that we do at Newcastle United. Our global licensing programme will help us reach, engage and better serve current and new supporters by extending the Newcastle United brand into new territories, product categories and retail channels.
“This ‘supporter-first’ approach informed Newcastle United’s retail and licensing activation during the recent pre-season tour to Japan. The club worked alongside Pro-Fitt Sporting, a leading licensee and retail partner, to give supporters localised access to our adidas kits, New Era headwear and an exclusive Japan 2024 tour range.”
Leigh continues: “BLE presents an effective platform to introduce Newcastle United and its global licensing programme to the industry for the very first time. We are looking forward to meeting current and prospective licensees, international agents and service providers. We plan to meet several brands interested in collaboration opportunities with Newcastle United during BLE.”
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