For Immediate Release
Tricia Hornsby
The Collegiate Licensing Company
770-956-0520 x3291 or thornsby@clc.com
Jim Foley
The University of Montana
406-243-2317
The Collegiate Licensing Company Signs New Ten-Year Deal with
Longtime Partner The University of Montana
Atlanta, GA (Jan. 8, 2009) – The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), a division of IMG Worldwide, announced today that it recently reached a renewal agreement with The University of Montana (UM) to manage the University’s trademark licensing program until 2018.
“We are honored to extend our partnership with one of the finest collegiate institutions in the country,” said Bill Battle, CLC’s founder. “We consider it a privilege to work closely with UM’s staff, retailers, and licensees, and are committed to continuing to leverage all of CLC’s resources in meeting the University’s future brand objectives.”
CLC began its partnership with UM in 1983. Since 1995, annual retail sales of UM licensed merchandise have grown from $1.5 million to more than $7 million.
“UM is one of our most proactive partners, and its licensing program is renowned in the industry for its leadership and creativity” said CLC's Brian White, Vice President, University Services. “The growth of the UM licensing program, spurred by the creation of unique initiatives, including private label programs and even branded weddings, is one of the greatest among licensing success stories.”
The UM program, which ranks perennially among CLC’s top 50 institutions and is one of the largest non-BCS conference licensing programs, has been recognized as the Licensing Program of the Year by the International Collegiate Licensing Association (ICLA), and has received industry recognition from other organizations, including the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
About The Collegiate Licensing Company:
The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) is a division of global sports and entertainment company IMG. Founded in 1981, CLC is the oldest and largest collegiate licensing agency in the U.S. and currently represents nearly 200 colleges, universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, The Heisman Trophy and the NCAA. The mission of CLC is to be the guiding force in collegiate trademark licensing and one of the top sports licensing firms in the country. CLC is dedicated to being a center of excellence in providing licensing services of the highest quality to its member institutions, licensees, retailers and consumers. Headquartered in Atlanta (Ga.), CLC is a full-service licensing representative, which employs a staff of more than 80 licensing professionals who provide full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand management, and brand development. For more information on CLC, visit: www.clc.com or www.imgworld.com.
About The University of Montana
The University of Montana was founded in 1893 in the burgeoning pioneer town of Missoula, less than 90 years after Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery explored the area. Since then, the University has nurtured a tradition of cultural and scientific exploration. Today, “The Discovery Continues” at UM – from a local, regional and global perspective into the next frontier of space.
Students receive a high-quality, well-rounded education and training for professional careers in the University’s three colleges – arts and sciences, forestry and conservation, and technology – and six schools – journalism, law, business, education, pharmacy and the fine arts.
Located at the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, UM is a magnet not only for top-notch teachers and researchers, but also for students from across the country and around the globe. A city within a city – with its own eateries, stores, medical facilities, banking and postal services, and zip code – UM has an increasingly diverse population and rich culture.