MotoGP teams with Fanatics to serve fans worldwide

Dorna Sports has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Fanatics, a leading provider of licensed sports merchandise and global digital sports platform, to significantly enhance the shopping experience for MotoGP fans.

The deal will see MotoGP enjoy Fanatics’ innovative vertical commerce model, with Fanatics acquiring exclusive global e-commerce rights and obtaining the licence to create MotoGP apparel, increasing the range of merchandise available to fans, wherever they may be in the world.

MotoGP is the world’s first motorsport World Championship, having begun in 1949. Now racing in five continents over 20 races a season, the sport welcomes millions of fans through the gates each year at the track and reaches nearly half a billion homes across more than 200 countries – enjoying a truly global fanbase.

The newly revamped online MotoGP store, store.motogp.com, which launches today, ensures fans have access to a new, technology-laced e-commerce platform powered by Fanatics’ industry-leading Cloud Commerce Platform. The global nature of the MotoGP fanbase will see Fanatics launch the site in six different languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Japanese. The transformed site will provide MotoGP fans with a best-in-class shopping experience, whether shopping online or via mobile, featuring hi-resolution product displays, frictionless checkout, and the quickest access to new product offerings.

Fanatics, which has offices and distribution centres in 13 countries, partners with more than 900 of the most recognised and successful sporting organisations in the world, including the NFL, NBA, Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, England Rugby and Formula One.

Marc Saurina, Senior Director of Global Commercial Partnerships at Dorna Sports, says: “We’re delighted to partner with Fanatics to revolutionise the shopping experience for our fans around the world. The new store looks incredible and we look forward to working together on creating an even wider range of MotoGP merchandise, with something for every fan. With our sport enjoying such a global audience, Fanatics is the perfect partner for MotoGP thanks to their global presence and vast experience.”

Matthew Primack, Senior Vice-President of International Business Development at Fanatics, adds: “We are proud to partner with MotoGP to help serve its passionate global fanbase. We’ll work closely with the great MotoGP team to create a comprehensive offering that will provide fans with the widest assortment of on-trend, quality merchandise. With our experience, global capabilities and passion to serve fans with the merchandise they want, when they want it, MotoGP fans will enjoy an assortment of quality products, wherever they are shopping in the world.”

British balance bike firm Kiddimoto renews licensing deal with MotoGP champion Marc Marquez

The Somerset based balance bike business, Kiddimoto has renewed its partnership with the eight time MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez to continue its officially licensed Marc Marquez 93 Wooden Balance Bike and accessory range.

The partnership has been renewed as the company celebrates its 18th year in business this September with the launch of a new look website, investment in marketing and communications and some revamped branding for 2021, as well as the introduction of new, sustainable packaging.

The firm’s range of MM93 Wooden Balance Bikes has been a strong seller, tapping into a market of ‘wannabe racing stars’ with a host of lookalike features including a twin ‘exhaust’, tank and aerodynamic tail, and rotating handlebar grips.

“I am a massive MotoGP fan,” said Simon Booth, Kiddimoto founder and director. “Superbikes were the inspiration of our first toddler balance bike back when we began in 2003. Securing world leading champions like Marc Marquez means we continue to be at the top of our game, just like him – what he can do on a bike is insane.

“We are so lucky to have been able to work directly with Marc for all this time and are enormously proud he remains in the Kiddimoto Team paddock, along with other motorcycling legends.”

The MM93 MotoGP Wooden Balance Bike retails at RRP £119.99 and is billed as the perfect first ‘mini motorbike’ balance bike for children aged 18 months to five years. It is one of three dinky ‘motorbikes’ in the Kiddimoto range which boasts reigning world MotoGP champion, Juan Mir’s Suzuki superbike, and the iconic Evel Knievel’s stunt bike too.

Crafted to be lightweight and light on the planet thanks to its environmentally friendly wooden frame, water-based paint and uncoated cardboard packaging, the range has been tested beyond UK and EU toy safety standards with a robust build quality, slick race tyres, and ergonomic design.

The Marc Marquez collection also includes matching helmet, bell and glove.

WildBrain CPLG tapped as Motul eyes lifestyle brand extension across apparel, toys, and more

WildBrain CPLG has been tapped as the global agent for the engine oil brand, Motul in an agreement that will mark its first expansion into licensed products. Under the partnership, WildBrain CPLG’s dedicated lifestyle division will target categories including workwear, tool, car and bike maintenance goods, and garage equipment.

Plans will also encompass lifestyle categories such as apparel, accessories, gifting, construction toys and kits, and retail loyalty promotions.

Originated in the USA in 1853, with the Swan & Finch Oil Corporation, Motul has specialised in the formulation, production and worldwide distribution of high-tech engine lubricants, aimed at the end consumer. Motorsports has been Motul’s primary laboratory for creativity and innovation since it first stepped into racing in the 1950s, with the brand using racetracks and international motorsports events to develop, refine and test its products to the limits.

As a result, the company has been a technical partner and official supplier to some of the the finest teams and manufacturers in history. Motul is now present in over 160 countries, and recent event partnerships for the brand include the Dakar Rally, MotoGP, World WSBK, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA, Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival.

Victoria Whellans, group brands director at WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle, said: “With Motul’s rich heritage and reputation as one of motorsports’ most notable players, the brand has excellent licensing potential in a diverse range of categories. We’re already working closely with Motul to build a best-in-class consumer products offering, which will be closely aligned with the brand’s core values – premium, specialist, ingenious, brotherly, passionate and authentic.”

Romain Grabowski, head of brand at Motul, said: “It’s with great pride that we announce our collaboration with WildBrain CPLG, as we both share the same ambition and they were immediately an obvious choice to us. The WildBrain CPLG team has an extensive network and impressive experience within the licensing world and we’re confident they will carefully identify licensees that are matched with our primary focus on quality as well as with our unique spirit, which is a considered blend of authenticity, innovation, passion for racing and taste for adventure.

“The official Motul licensed products offering will soon be available across different markets and will give Motul fans, petrol-heads, drivers, riders, DIYers and mechanics the opportunity to enjoy a wider experience with the Motul brand.”

Motul joins WildBrain CPLG’s growing lifestyle portfolio, which also includes Absolut Vodka, Charlotte Posner, Karcher, Kikkoman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Osprey London, Parental Advisory, Chupa Chups, Mentos, Smint, Yale University and Harvard University.