in association with THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BRANDS IN LICENSING: SPORTS >>>MANCHESTER UNITED 2


Brand Owner: Manchester United plc


Love them or hate them, you can’t deny that Manchester United is the best at maximising retail partnerships. The club has used its brand power


well and has a good track record in licensing, with presence across a number of categories. MUFC is ever present and has enjoyed


a huge commercial presence for decades – sometimes regardless of their success on the football pitch. The brand also picked up Best Sports Licensed Property at The Licensing Awards this year. “The only truly global British football


brand,” said one judge. Another added: “You can’t argue with that success and it is genuinely international.”


>>>ENGLAND RUGBY 3


Brand Owner: RFU licensing programme handled by CPLG


Another popular choice with our judges, the profile of the Rugby Football Union and the England team has been steadily growing. Although still not quite on a par with football, the general consensus from the judging panel was that England rugby now has a good presence and is starting to see growth into other categories – rather than just rugby shirts. In addition, Ruckley the Bulldog has


also recently been unveiled as the official ambassador for children’s rugby. CPLG UK is currently working with


new and existing England rugby licensees to create an initial range of merchandise ahead of the Rugby World Cup in 2015.


30 www.licensing.biz


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