News
New managing director for Asics F
ormer Intersport UK General Manager, Barry Mellis, has been appointed new manager for Asics for the UK and Eire. He joins with extensive UK and European sports trade experience, including 19 years with adidas, country manager and sales director roles at New Balance before joining Intersport UK. He takes over from Ryoji Sekito who will be returning to Japan after nine years as managing director. “Asics is a fantastic, highly credible brand with the realistic ambition of becoming the number one premium sports performance brand. I relish the challenge of developing brand presence and growth in both the UK and Irish markets,” Mellis comments.
Alistair Cameron, President and Chief Operating Office, Asics BV Europe said: “We could not have a more suitable replacement in Barry who brings a huge amount of sports retail and industry experience to the brand at a crucial stage in its development. Asics UK is the fastest growing part of Asics’ European business and he will be responsible for maintaining brand growth and dynamism.”
www.asics.co.uk
UFC fitness equipment a huge success L
eading combat sports company, Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation, has announced further success for the brand in the UK and European markets. Following the successful launch of the UFC fitness equipment into Argos stores, global fitness company RFE International will be expanding the range into further sports goods and into the European market in 2011.
According to RFE, since the Argos launch in July, the range has been such a hit that increased orders have been needed to meet the demand, almost trebling the original sales forecast. The initial range is made up of four products, UFC Official Fight
Gloves; UFC Mixed Martial Arts Training Gloves; the UFC Muay Thai Pad and a UFC Hook and Jab Mitt. Jane Evans, managing director of licencing consultancy JELC, the European licensing agent for the UFC organisation said: “ The line-up between the world’s biggest combat sports brand and RFE, has clearly struck a chord with UFC followers and fitness fans across the country – and we are certain this market will grow even further.” UFC have also linked up with Fight for Fashion, to launch a clothing range. It will include men’s and women’s t- shirts, hoodies, shorts and training pants and will initially be sold through larger JD Sports stores before expanding into other sporting goods outlets, specialist MMA stores and online supported by a major promotional campaign.
www.ufc.com
Umbro records loss after licensee dispute U
Mizuno sponsors Samoa Rugby Union M
mbro International has been forced to pay more than £20m to a former licensee over a contract dispute according to the company’s latest filed accounts.
The figures show that although sales had grown by 75% to £130.9m in the 12 months to My 31, it showed a £41.4m loss as a result of paying out more than £17.2m to a former licensee. In the previous 17-month period, reported figures show a £105.7m in sales and a £14.3m pre-tax profit.
www.umbro.com
izuno has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement to become the exclusive official supplier of footwear for Samoa Rugby to include the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
Mizuno already has a strong relationship with rugby union with previous footwear sponsorships of Manu Samoa, New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies. James O’Rourke, managing director of Sports Network Ltd, distributor for Mizuno in New Zealand and Samoa said: “Mizuno is delighted to have secured this sponsorship with Samoa Rugby Union. We have enjoyed an excellent relationship previously and look forward to working closely with the Samoa Rugby Union to meet the challenges its faces on the global rugby stage.”
www.mizuno.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32