Tag Archives: Football

TSBA Group secures adidas and Arsenal collaboration with Transport for London

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adidas and Arsenal have today launched a collection in collaboration with Transport for London (TfL) to celebrate the historic connection between the football club and the London Underground. The collaboration was brokered by TSBA Group, TfL’s global licensing agent.

Available from today, the range celebrates Arsenal station – the only Underground station to be named after a football club, following its change from Gillespie Road in 1932.

The collection is inspired by the seat pattern or “moquette” that appears on the Piccadilly line trains that run through Arsenal Tube station and the bold and disruptive all-over print is seen on the prematch jersey and warm top, which the players will wear to warm up in ahead of games between now and the end of the season.

There are five pieces in the range, which also includes a youth jersey – matching the adult shirts – as well as a reversible padded vest and pant, both of which have navy base colour and subtle Arsenal Tube station sign-off.

Julie Dixon, Head of Customer Information, Design & Partnerships at Transport for London (TfL), says: “It’s been great to collaborate with adidas and Arsenal on this new pre-match range, which reflects our iconic Piccadilly line moquette. Arsenal Tube station has had a deep relationship with the football club for almost 90 years and for staff and fans alike – there is nothing quite like the atmosphere and excitement on a match day. We look forward to seeing fans around the world wearing this eye-catching new pre-match range.”

As part of the campaign, adidas has also teamed up with London-based artist and Arsenal fan Reuben Dangoor to create and design a special, limited-edition Oyster card.

Consumers can have the chance of claiming the card, which is pre-loaded with £15, by purchasing an article in the range via the adidas app. There is also a chance to win one via a first-come-first-served free to enter opportunity to adidas Creator Club members.

The range will be available across adidas.com, in store as well as at Arsenal official club stores and selected retailers.

For the chance to claim a bespoke Reuben Dangoor designed Oyster Card, visit adidas.co.uk/adidasapp.

For further information on the TfL brand, contact enquiries@tsbagroup.com

FC Barcelona taps IMG for Southeast Asia licensing programme

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Five-time UEFA Champions League winning football club FC Barcelona has appointed IMG as its master licensee in Southeast Asia to develop a consumer products programme for fans in the region.

Part of the club’s broader merchandising strategy and evolution into a global lifestyle brand, the multi-year deal will see IMG focus on lifestyle and fashion apparel, accessories, luggage and bags, gift and novelty, homeware and textiles, and digital and tech product categories.

Miki Yamamoto, SVP of Licensing, IMG, says: “FC Barcelona is one of the most recognised football clubs in the world and there’s huge untapped potential for brand extension in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, where football has always been extremely popular. This, combined with Barça fans’ unwavering passion for the club and desire to show support for their team, presents extensive licensing opportunities in the region.”

Barça Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) is working with leading companies like IMG to expand FC Barcelona’s lifestyle footprint and provide a 360-degree merchandising experience for Barça fans around the world.

Ajax and adidas channel Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds in new tribute kit

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The Bob Marley family has teamed up with Ajax and adidas to release the 2021/2022 Ajax third kit, a tribute to its fans and a shared love for the reggae legend Bob Marley and the iconic song Three Little Birds.

Developed in collaboration with the family, the black kit features red, yellow, and green details, while on the back of the jersey, just below the collar, is a subtle reference to the iconic song with three little birds sitting on Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses. The kit will be worn in this season’s European matches, alongside Ajax’s home kit.

For over a decade, Ajax has had a strong tie to the Bob Marley song, Three Little Birds that started in August 2008 when the team played a friendly match in Cardiff against Cardiff City FC. The Ajax fans were asked to remain in the stands after the game. To keep them entertained, the stadium DJ played several tracks, one of which was Three Little Birds.

The song has since been embraced by Ajax fans who now sing it at every game, regardless of the score of the game.

Bob Marley is often remembered as an active and dedicated fan of football, a point that, according to the family of the reggae legend, makes the collaboration and the collective love for his music form Ajax fans particularly poignant.

“I am beyond touched that Ajax has taken Three Little Birds and made it their anthem. Stories like this warm my heart and show how impactful songs like Three Little Birds can be. Soccer was everything to my father…and to use his words ‘football is freedom’” said Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley.

The kit features a jersey, shorts and socks. On the socks, Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses are prominently highlighted. The range also includes a track top, track pant, sweater, t-shirt and Samba footwear. Samba footwear originates from football but has become a global fashion icon in its own right. With stripes in red, yellow and green, the footwear also features the Ajax crest on the tongue of the shoe and the three little birds on Amsterdam’s Andreas crosses on the heel tab.

All product is available from August 20 onwards, and available on ajax.nl/shop, adidas.com, in Official Ajax Fanshops (ArenA, Kalverstraat and Bataviastad) and through selected retailers around the world.

England’s UEFA Euro 2020 journey documented in Official History book from Welbeck and The FA

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Welbeck Publishing Group is among the many thousands to be bringing it home this year as it prepares to launch the official licensed History of the England Football team through a new licensing deal with The Football Association.

England: The Official History will be published on October 4th this year and will document the history of the England Football team, including the team’s complete performance at UEFA EURO 2020.

Written by the award-winning author Daniel Storey in association with The FA, the publication will be illustrated with more than 250 photos as it presents an account of the world’s oldest and most iconic national football team in the run up to its 150th birthday in 2022.

Charting the complete history of the England national team and covering the highs and lows of the men’s and women’s national teams, the release will also feature icons past and present including Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Hope Powell, David Beckham, Steph Houghton, and Harry Kane.

Wayne Davies, group publisher for non-fiction, Welbeck Publishing Group, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Football Association on this hugely exciting project. If this summer has shown us anything, it’s that the England team still has the ability to capture the public’s imagination almost a century and a half since the first international match was played.

“England: The Official History promises to be a definitive celebration of the Three Lions and Lionesses that fans won’t want to miss.”

Simon Wickham, senior commercial manager – retail and licensing, The Football Association, said: “Ahead of a significant milestone for both our men’s and women’s teams, we are pleased to licence Welbeck Publishing Group to produce this official historic record to mark a celebratory year for The FA.

“Our national teams continue to be an inspiration for many and this will bring to life a rich history that connects with our nation.”

England: The Official History by Daniel Storey is published by Welbeck on 14th October in hardback at £25.

Italy’s Marco Verratti takes feline form to join 44 Cats campaign ahead of UEFA European Football Championship

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The Italian footballer and national team champion, Marco Verratti is taking on a new feline appearance ahead of the upcoming UEFA European Football Championship, through a new partnership with the country’s own animation studio, Rainbow and its popular 44 Cats franchise.

Verratti has signed a new contract with the Make a Wish Italia Onlus, the local Make a Wish Foundation, in which the football star will feature – in cat form, no less – alongside the four protagonists from 44 Cats, on a customised Italian flag designed for this year’s major tournament.

The initiative, dubbed Italia Gattastica, will see the character Gatto Marco join the line up of Lampo, Milady, Pilou, and Meatball on a flag that will be sold to fans ahead of the Euro tournament this year. The revenues from the sale of the limited edition Italian flag – now available on Rainbow’s Amazon store – will be donated to the Make A Wish Italia Onlus.

“I’m really happy to kick off this project. The day I was asked to join this adventure my thoughts immediately turned to my children, who are huge 44 Cats fans,” said Verratti in human form.

“It was fun and stimulating to work with serious and very professional companies like Rainbow and Vanquish. Now I hope that the little fans of Buffycats and now also of Gatto Marco will like it, because during the next European Championships we will need the support and cheer of everyone. Go Azzurri! Go 44 Cats!” 

New content, contests and special activities will be rolled out for the entertainment of fans during the European Championship on all 44 Cats social networks.

Produced by Rainbow in collaboration with Antoniano and Rai Ragazzi, 44 Cats is an animated hit series that has been conquering fans worldwide. The Italian-made preschool series is a mix of action, comedy, friendship and original music, that has become a global phenomenon with record ratings since its debut in November 2018 on Rai Yoyo.

44 Cats is on air in over 100 countries and in more than 20 languages. Populating the soundtrack of the series is a run of original songs performed by Antoniano, Italy’s most famous Piccolo Coro.

The England Lionesses make history as University Games unveils first all female Subbuteo line-up

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University Games is making history with the launch of the first all-female Subbuteo line-up to mass market, thanks to a new partnership with the England Lionesses.

The highly anticipated Official England Lionesses Subbuteo Main Game will be available from this May, with each of the detailed Lionesses Subbuteo players sporting the England kit. The line-up will also feature players of differing ethnicity.

The set will feature the 11 player Lionesses Team, an 11 player Red and White team, along with the Subbuteo pitch and goal sets.

The England Lionesses have been an inspiration to young players over the past few years and their success at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup has helped a growth in participation across all levels.

Mark Jones, sales director at University Games, believes the new Lionesses Set will make big steps to continue to bridge the gap between the younger generation and the current Subbuteo enthusiasts.

“We are all ever hopeful for a football-themed summer with the Euros currently planned to kick off this June, and with the Women’s European Championships now scheduled for summer 2022, the new England Lionesses Main Game is certain to be a very welcome and timely addition to the range,” he said.

“Subbuteo was a best seller for 2020 and a top Christmas Toy following a successful re-launch and a heavy-weight multi-media campaign, which will continue throughout 2021 and feature the new addition to the range.”

The new Lionesses Main Game will join a comprehensive Subbuteo range that includes the Subbuteo Main Game, Official England Main Game as well as the new Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) Set and enhanced Fences Set accessories that launched earlier this year.

Epic Games and IMG bring global football clubs to its hit gaming IP Fortnite

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Epic Games is celebrating global football this week by bringing more than 20 top clubs from around the world into its hit gaming IP, Fortnite, via a series of partnerships facilitated by IMG, Fortnite’s licensing representative.

Starting 23 January, players can choose from 10 different variants of new “Kickoff Set” Outfits to represent their favorite club in-game. Each Outfit can be swapped to any of the 23 football clubs participating, including teams from A-League, Bundesliga, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, J1 League, La Liga, MLS, Premier League, Primeira Liga, Scottish Premiership and Serie A.

Fortnite players can visit the Creative Hub for an immersive football experience throughout the week, and join select clubs around the world in hosted Fortnite tournaments. Additionally, players will be able to earn or purchase two new football-themed emotes to show off their favorite moves.

“Football is consistently one of the top sports that our players tell us they want to see and experience in Fortnite,” said Nate Nanzer, head of global partnerships at Epic Games. “We’re excited to partner with IMG to bring the sport to Fortnite fans around the world as they face off in competitive tournaments, experience new creative modes of gameplay, and celebrate global football.”

Matthew Primack, SVP of licensing at IMG, added: “We’ve had a lot of fun working with our partners at Epic Games and football clubs from around the world to help bring this unique in-game experience to life.

“This is a truly international collaboration, tapping into clubs from almost every continent and offering fans the opportunity to express their passion for the beautiful game and their favourite team through the trailblazing world of Fortnite.”

The 23 participating football clubs are: AC Milan, A.S. Roma FC, Atlanta United FC, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Celtic FC, Cerezo Osaka, Esporte Clube Bahia, FC Schalke 04, Inter Milan, Juventus FC, Los Angeles FC, Manchester City FC, Melbourne FC, Rangers FC, Santos FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Sevilla FC, Sporting CP, Sydney FC, West Ham United FC, VfL Wolfsburg FC, Western Sydney Wanderers FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

FC Bayern Munich on path to revolutionise souvenir photos with AR and AI tech partnership

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With the opening of its new flagship store in central Munich, FC Bayern Munich is offering its fans a unique experience to have photos taken with its players at anytime, thanks to a partnership with the German virtual tech specialist, Sensape.

Under the partnership, the pair are setting out to redefine souvenir photos as the football club expands it Augmented Reality activities to offer store visitors the chance to take photos with their players through the use of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality technology.

Players and fans will be able to interact in real-time via the store’s photo screen where a realistic souvenir photo can then be taken. The project is the first permanent installation of its kind in Europe.

“Meeting players in person is a rare occurrence and not granted to many people anyway. Since the spread of Covid-19, personal contact is no longer possible. With this project, we are bringing a technology to Europe that allows anyone to take a photo with the players at any time, as it is not tied to a specific date. The photo even comes signed to the fan and makes the whole experience even more special,” said Sensape’s Michael Lehnert.

The AR technology has been developed at Sensape’s headquarters in Leipzig, Germany. The intelligent system recognizes as soon as a fan stands in front of the device and starts the AR application. After players pose virtually in the picture, fans can position themselves in the middle and a photo is taken. An intelligent rendering system automatically adjusts the exposure and proportions to the fan and the environment, creating a photo-realistic image.

The result can be downloaded to the user’s own smartphone via QR code and shared with friends and on social media channels at the touch of a button.

A similar procedure will soon be used in the Member Corner, where fans can sign their membership contract in the presence of club president Herbert Hainer and honorary president Uli Hoeneß and seal it with a photo.

WildBrain CPLG signs Middle East and North Africa deals for Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Liverpool, and Man City

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 WildBrain CPLG has inked a wave of pan-regional deals in Middle East and North Africa on behalf of the European football clubs the agency represents in the market: Arsenal, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Liverpool FC, and Manchester City.

For Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Manchester City, WildBrain CPLG has secured a direct-to-retail licensing deal with the fashion retailer RIVA that will see a line of apparel and accessories hit stores across the region.

Meanwhile, Andy Enterprises is now on board for an apparel and accessories range across Arsenal and Liverpool FC; Trucare is launching bedding and homewares across FC Barcelona and Manchester City; and ESAL is creating footballs for FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC.

Further partners secured include Hollywood Magic for FC Barcelona and Manchester City apparel ranges, and Sun CE for back-to-school products across all five clubs.

Roberto Pallottini, licensing manager at WildBrain CPLG MENA, said: “Football continues to be the most popular sport across the Middle East and North Africa and is also a significant trend at retail.

“We are proud to welcome these partners to the local licensing programmes for these internationally renowned European football clubs and to create lifestyle-focused products for the brands in the region.”

Poetic Brands signs FIFA for spring/summer apparel collection

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The apparel licensee, Poetic Brands, has added the international governing body of football, FIFA, to its portfolio of brands with the launch of a new range of FIFA themed clothing. The range will capitalise on the body’s historical marques and logos, the kind of which have been recognised worldwide for more than 100 years.

The Poetic Brands collection will feature t-shirts, sweatshirts, and nightwear and will launch into the UK with retailers stocking ranges from spring/summer 2021.

Founded in 1904, FIFA is the umbrella organisation of its members, currently 211 national football associations. Its objectives include developing football around the world, staging international competitions, and ensuring that the game of football is available to all who wish to participate. 

The member associations of FIFA take part in the FIFA World Cup every four years, with the next edition taking place in 2022, providing a key selling point after the launch of the clothing line.

“Together with Poetic Brands, we’ll be bringing new energy to FIFA’s beloved historical emblems,” said FIFA head of licensing and retail, Sarah Bohner. “We look forward to helping fans relive and celebrate their favourite tournaments through unique, creative designs.”

Elliott Matthews, executive director of Poetic Brands, added: “We are really excited to be adding FIFA to our portfolio of properties. The brand is instantly recognisable not only to football fans, but to the vast majority of consumers. We are sure the collection will reach fans of the game throughout the UK and prove popular with supporters of all clubs.”