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INSIDE THISISSUE:

‣ COLLEGE LICENSING OVERSEAS BOOM

‣ IAF HIGHLIGHTS

‣ ROCKING THE HEISMAN HOUSE

‣ INSIDE THE ROSE BOWL TORNADO

‣ TALENT SPOTLIGHT: RAY DeWEESE

THE PEOPLE, PROPERTIES AND PROGR VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 | FEBRUARY 2015

IMPACTFUL MARKETING: New Technology Meets Good Old Fashioned Selling

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During football season, IMG and our school partners launched innovative marketing campaigns that made headlines while generating excitement for fans and business results for sponsors. Here are a few of our favorites:

Rocket Man

It was a James Bond-meets-George Jetson spectacle only IMG could bring to college football.

A daredevil jet-pack traveler blasted off above Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (above) before six Longhorns football games this season in an IMG promotion no fan in attendance will ever forget.

“The Mighty Fine Longhorn Liftoff” was sponsored by none other than Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries & Shakes.

“Mighty Fine’s president, Ken Schiller, likes to go big,” said Matt Preece, Associate General Manager with Longhorn IMG Sports Marketing. More than 50 people were involved in pre-season test flights to ensure safe and smooth sailing.

The IMG team developed a launch pad color promotion, playing off Mighty Fine’s three condiments, known as “Red, Yeller, and White.” A different color served as the landing tarp on field each game. Fans sending a text with that color landed a free Mighty Fine burger.

Mighty Fine, a 10-year partner of Texas Athletics, more than tripled its per-game text replies from fans when compared to the results of their in-game promotion during the 2013 season.

“This amazing spectacle is another way we’re enhancing the fan experience while adding value to an important partner,” Preece said.

With Longhorns crowds routinely exceeding 90,000 fans, the Mighty Fine Longhorn Liftoff also set a world record for the number of people viewing a jet pack flight.

Global Watch Party

West Virginia University turned to social media to encourage people all over the world to join Mountaineer Nation in late October.

“Mountaineer Nation Day” brings together 190,000 WVU alums nationwide with those overseas. This year’s 341 watch parties spanned 13 countries, including Mountaineer bashes in Aruba, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Ireland, and Malaysia.

Working with IMG, WVU used a host of social media platforms to get word out about the celebration for its game against Oklahoma State.

The social element included six Vine videos featuring fans, students, The Pride of West Virginia Marching Band, the Mountaineer mascot, and even school President Gordon Gee selecting the perfect game-day bow tie. 

IMPACTFUL MARKETING: New Technology Meets Good Old Fashioned Selling

“This amazing spectacle is another way we’re enhancing the fan experience while adding value to an important partner.” –Matt Preece

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On game day, the school’s site became a real-time rallying point as fans from around the world submitted photos to show their pride. WVU worked with Collegiate Licensing Company to give away prizes such as officially licensed jewelry, custom Mountaineer apparel, Mountaineer toys, and even school-branded dog treats.

“Mountaineer Nation Day allows everyone a way to connect with WVU, and with social media growing, it is a great way to connect fans,” said WVU’s trademark licensing coordinator, Nikki Goodenow.

WVU’s watch party is believed to be the most expansive in college football.

Digital Trash Talk

Fans talking smack has gone digital.

When Cal hosted Pac-12 rival Oregon in the first college football game played at Levi’s Stadium, the schools partnered with IMG and Intel to produce exclusive pocket avatars. The messaging application gives fans a unique and fun way to communicate via animated characters.

The school-branded avatars, available in Intel’s Pocket Avatar app, let fans of the Golden Bears send personalized messages in their own voice to one another or to fans of the rival Ducks, and vice versa.

Cal fans could select “Golden” from the Pocket Avatars app; Duck Fans had “Speedy." (Listen to a sample Speedy message here.)

Fans can use the characters to record a personalized, 3-D video message — in their own voice — mirroring the users’ facial gestures. The message can be sent to friends, family and rivals via text, email, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, or the Pocket Avatars app itself.

The new instant messaging technology was also showcased at the Intel Plaza at Levi’s Stadium.

“This is a great example of collaboration between our multimedia and licensing teams on a program with both licensing and sponsorship components,” said Dave Kirkpatrick, Vice President of Non-Apparel Brand Management at CLC.

Kirkpatrick says it’s rare to construct a license agreement that covers a virtual property, such as an avatar, as opposed to the normal static marks licensed for use on products.

Cal and Oregon are the first two universities licensed with Pocket Avatars. That could expand with CLC’s other 150+ partner institutions. There are more than 60 avatars in Intel’s Pocket Avatars app, and new characters are introduced on a regular basis.

Stay tuned for which IMG schools might be next.

The Future is Now on Twitter

When Notre Dame took on USC in late November, the steeped-in-tradition football rivalry game had a futuristic component. The day after Black Friday, Twitter users could buy special Notre Dame and USC merchandise through their feed.

This was the first time a major sport has used Twitter Buy Now. Twitter is evaluating this unique social e-commerce pilot to consider Buy Now ads for other college games.

IMG, with support from WME, is at the cutting edge in bringing sports and technology together. Beyond social media, we are breaking new ground in testing geo-location technology at several colleges through a partnership with Lemon Mobile. Check for more news in future issues of Game Plan.

Cal fans used animated avatars to send personal messages to their inter-conference rivals.

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ack in 2005, two Stanford students wanted to print T-shirts for their fraternity. Easier said than done.

“Why isn’t there a web-based company allowing us to create custom goods one at a time and get the

merchandise delivered quickly and hassle free?” they asked.

The students pressed on with the idea and founded Zazzle, assembling a network of more than 50 manufacturers of customized products, usually delivered within 24-48 hours. 

The Redwood, Calif.-based company is now one of the world’s leading platforms for customization and on-demand commerce. Brand partners include Disney, Hallmark, Live Nation, MTV, National Geographic, and Warner Bros., as well as 16 schools represented by the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC): Alabama, Cal, Florida, Fresno State, Idaho, LSU, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Pitt, Stanford, Tulane, Utah, Washington State, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

As more consumers get accustomed to the ease and fun of creating custom gear such as T-shirts, drink ware, watches, jewelry, cases, bags, and paper products, there could be a dozen more schools coming on board as Zazzle partners.

All products are reviewed by Zazzle and sometimes with the school.  Basic rules safeguard the schools’ brands. No current or former student athlete can be referenced, and inferences to drugs, alcohol, and firearms are verboten. For creative uses of a school’s

mascot/logo and attempts to put political or religious content on the merchandise, each school gives the ultimate thumbs up or down.

Zazzle carries no inventory. All goods are custom made to the consumer’s order, and they’re very well received. Through the

“Zazzle Promise,” any consumer not satisfied can get any i tem replaced or refunded within 30

days. Zazzle’s return rate is only 2%.

For schools, Zazzle provides a unique way to supplement their traditional retail programs with the opportunity to prime the sale of non-traditional items. One of Zazzle’s top-selling college products is a sheet of school-branded U.S. postage stamps.

“I have one contact at Zazzle. With that personal connection, approvals are quick

and easy,” said Dan Perkins, Licensing Director at University of California, Berkeley.

“We appreciate the revenue from Zazzle but are most pleased to point student and alumni groups to a

licensing partner offering a comprehensive, user-friendly way to produce our licensed products in conjunction with the university association and at low minimums,” said Dave Lindquist, Licensing Director for The University of Minnesota. “These are products simply not economically feasible for our traditional retail licensees.” 

“Custom college products create great connections with fans. They’re engaging with the school in new and fun way,” said CLC Managing Director Cory Moss.

Zazzle offers schools a co-branded retail store on the web and also allows for multiple mini shops on the site. 

“Zazzle is a great way to serve smaller club sports with merchandise, as well as campus organizations and alumni – think unique special merchandise made for Homecoming,” said Crystal Sims, CLC’s Director of Non-Apparel Management. “We are very excited about how this licensee can help CLC play into the growing on-demand product customization trend.”

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FEBRUARY 2015 | 5

s Nissan took its Heisman Memorial Trophy Award program to new levels this season, IMG schools played a major part in an extensive ad campaign and on-campus tour.

Nissan utilized the university marks for Baylor, Houston, Michigan, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, and Texas in this year’s new Heisman House TV campaign as well as events at IMG schools.

The Heisman House refers to a series of funny TV spots showing what happens when 11 Heisman Trophy winners live together. A simulated “Heisman House” traveled to seven IMG schools – Auburn, Baylor, Florida, FSU, Nebraska, Oregon, and UCLA – throughout the football season leading up to the 2015 national championship game.

Fans visiting the tour hung out, took photos with the iconic hardware, and met Heisman Trophy winners, as well as local legends. For example, Heisman winners Johnny Rodgers (1972) and Eric Crouch (2001) were at the Nebraska game; Danny Wuerffel (1996) appeared at Florida; and Charlie Ward (1993) hit the final tour stop at FSU in late November.

“The Heisman House reinforces Nissan’s long-term partnership with the Heisman Trust and serves to increase fan engagement and fan voting for the Heisman Trophy,” said Andrew Judelson, SVP, National Sales & Marketing. “It’s among the very best activations you’ll see in sports.” 

What began for Nissan as onsite activation program has grown to a new multi-year partnership with IMG schools, adding depth and breadth to the automaker’s college marketing program. Nissan, in the seventh year of sponsoring the Heisman trophy, has expanded its presence in college sports to now include use of school intellectual property, digital assets, social media, print, radio, and onsite activation.

Campus Insiders (www.campusinsiders.com) also features custom Nissan-branded content supporting the program. “The Nissan Heisman Highlight Reel” airing on Mondays during the season showcased best-of-the-best plays from Heisman contenders. Nissan anticipates viral videos furthering their ties with American sports’ most coveted award.

The TV campaign included former Heisman winners, including Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin, III, Marcus Allen, Billy Sims, Andre Ware, Charles Woodson, and Roger Staubach.

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6 | FEBRUARY 20156 | FEBRUARY 2015

t’s a common thread in stories of bravery and valor. Danger presents itself. Instead o f f l e e i n g t h e t h re a t , t h e re ’s a sprint  toward the eye of the storm, the

safety of others put first. Later, a casual dismissal of the notion of anything special. “Just doing my job,” is the line usually heard.

This behavior is prevalent in the military, public safety and medical professions, less so in sports marketing.

Yet it happened at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Eve. You may have seen the footage on the nightly news, SportsCenter, or during half time at the Fiesta Bowl. A freak weather event – a mini-tornado on a cloudless day– cut across Rose Bowl hospitality, taking tents

and corporate displays airborne. Many had fun on social media forwarding the video with comments about the Chick-fil-A “cow” being ushered to safety.

Within the swirl ing chaos, two IMG employees put themselves in harm’s way to try to control the flying debris and keep our sponsors from getting hurt. Both were slightly injured. They claim, of course, they did what any of us would do.

Ashley White, partner services manager, IMG College/Los Angeles, was chatting with a partner from Chevron when the sudden winds blasted. She saw the fast-forming funnel take down the Fan Fest’s branded 18-foot high entrance. Then Chick Fil-A’s 10’ x 20’ booth and Sparkling Ice’s giant inflatable cube were picked up and whisked away like Dorothy’s house.

“My first thought was to try to wrangle down one of the tents,” said the five-year IMG veteran. “A big group of people were over at the Honda display along with their new vehicles. I just wanted to get that tent under control.”

White grabbed a pole, was taken airborne, and thrown down hard near a welcome booth. She landed on her shoulder, fortunately

without being injured too seriously. Several of the tents flew over the fence and into cars. The Sparkling Ice display was found in another corporate village.

Meantime, Sales & Service Representative Peter Soroko was taking a phone call when the “Dust Devil” hit. He grabbed a tent pole at the joint and seriously cut a finger. After a trip to the hospital for stitches and a splint, the 2013 UCLA graduate was back on the grounds at 3 a.m. to get ready for his partners’ most important activation of the year at the inaugural College Football Playoff.

The IMG team helped Chick-fil-A install a new tent with shored-up anchoring. Honda

brought in new vehicles. Sparkling Ice found a few new pop-up tents.

“You spend so much time planning an event like this, you’re going to do all you can to make it a success,” White said.

Capitalizing on the iconic Rose Bowl venue and the usually pleasant California weather, White and team executed eight Fan Fests this season. Prior to the Oregon-FSU semifinal clash, which drew 91,322 fans to the Rose Bowl, they participated in two walk-throughs with the Pasadena fire department; no one forecast the unpredictable vortex blowing 2013 right off the calendar.

“If it was an earthquake, we’d know exactly what to do. This clearly wasn’t your ordinary wind,” Soroko said. “Once things calmed down, our partners quickly went to Plan B. They were extremely professional, all of us on the same page.”

After spending an entire month to prepare the Fan Fest, the quick destruction wrought by New Year’s Eve’s freak winds was a humbling experience White will never forget.

“After working on something so hard, you want to protect it and the people you’re teaming with,” she said.

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INSIDE THEROSE BOWLTORNADO:A CLIENT SERVICECOMMITTMENT

“Once things calmed down, our partners quickly went to Plan B. They were extremely

professional, all of us on the same page.”

ABOVE: IMG ‘Superheroes’ Ashley White and Peter Sokoro

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BRANDON VITABILE – Center, Northwestern University (3.6 GPA, Economics)

“My student-athlete experience has been wonderful and it’s gotten better every year. There are so many resources and people willing to help. With everything

we’re given and all the support we have, you have to try hard not to do well. You can’t put a price tag on getting an education for free – it’s invaluable.”

TYLER LOCKETT – Wide Receiver, Kansas State (3.25 GPA, Business Management)

“Football is a big commitment. Sometimes you want to give up. Then a kid comes up and says he looks up to you. You have the chance to make a difference in

someone’s life. (As a student-athlete), I’ve learned what it takes to be a man, to have character. I’ve had a great experience, and am going to graduate debt-free.”

DON CRIQUI – IMG Audio, Voice of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

“There’s a real immediacy (in broadcasting). The next snap is the most important one in the game. Like Vince Lombardi said, ‘How do you win a football game?

You defeat your man on the next play. Then do it again.’”

BILL BATTLE – Director of Athletics, Alabama

“We need to speak out more about the educational value of sports. I’ve learned more about what it takes to succeed from competing in sports than anywhere else.”

KEVIN WHITE – Director of Athletics, Duke

“College sports are like the Star Wars bar scene. We’re an eclectic universe here. We should stop apologizing for our differences – the big spenders vs. the smaller ones. Let’s celebrate our differences.”

ANDREW JUDELSON – SVP National Sales, IMG College

“It’s a fierce marketplace, but there is so much IMG | WME can bring to partners – like access to the world’s best music, fashion, literary, and culinary talents.

Marketers don’t just want to be in athletics. They want to be university-wide. That’s a huge opportunity making IMG an exciting place to be right now.”

BEN SUTTON JR. – Chairman and President, IMG College

“In a nation that loves to win, conferences and universities must be even more rigorous in placing the education of students as the top priority, more

important than any national championship. Schools must elevate their educational mission as they manage the growth of their sports programs. We are making progress here: More student-athletes than ever are earning degrees at NCAA Division I schools.”

BONNIE BERNSTEIN – VP, Content & Brand Development, Campus Insiders

“I find it very hard to believe that the preponderance of athletics departments have the ability to pay athletes without cutting sports. How do we do that

without taking away the incredible opportunity thousands and thousands of young men and women have to participate in sports? During my student-athlete experience at University of Maryland, I developed all the characteristics and skill sets that teed me up for success in life. We can’t rob student-athletes of that experience.”

MARK DYER – SVP, Business Ventures, IMG College

“The secondary ticket market has evolved from a guy in a trench coat outside the stadium to digital. That can make it harder to sell a season ticket. Schools’ weaker games are underpriced, and their best games

are overpriced. We’re helping our school partners look at that from an analytics standpoint.”

ROD BRAMBLETT – IMG Audio, Voice of the Auburn Tigers

“(The Chris Davis Iron Bowl game-winning runback) is my only call I don’t mind listening to. It was an incredible moment in an incredible rivalry. After the

play, I turned to my producer and said, ‘I hope I didn’t screw that up.’ I didn’t remember a word of it. I do remember (color analyst) Stan White had his arm around my neck. His mic was cut off after ‘Oh my God!’ Stan was going to lose it!”

BILL ROTH – IMG Audio, Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies

“My favorite sport to call? Well, more than any single sport, we have an affinity for our institutions, the romance of radio, and the art of our play-by-play

craft. We’d enjoy calling water polo. Really, it’s whatever sport is in season. It’s like fruit.”

IMG IAF HIGHLIGHTS:SOUNDBITES FROM IMG’S INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FORUM

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ithin IMG College, Ray DeWeese has set a few notable “firsts.”

DeWeese was one of the seven original staffers at Ohio State IMG Sports Marketing when the property began in 2009.

He was the first seller in company history to break the $4-million mark.

And now, as General Manager of Ohio State IMG Sports Marketing, he’s running the largest property at IMG College in pure multimedia rights revenue.

Led by DeWeese, Ohio State has done a masterful job at category management and blazed new trails in using school intellectual property and developing programs that cement corporate ties to the community. OSU has also maintained a constant “people first” focus – recruiting, developing, and motivating a staff of highly productive professional sellers while instilling a relentless service-first mentality for a great American institution.

DeWeese balances all this with his wife of 12 years, Mandy, in raising five children 10 years old and under. Even under the ever-present microscope of leading a marquee property, Ray would count this as his greatest accomplishment of all.

OSU has optimized partner dollars through textbook category management in areas such as grocery, auto, insurance, and QSR.

“We understand up front what a partner wants to accomplish and are very clear in the parameters of our deals,” DeWeese says. “We set and manage expectations, and we over-communicate every chance we can.”

The OSU team is strategically managing categories to maximize results:

• Grocery: Playing to specific niches, DeWeese and team brought in significant deals for Kroger (focused on community and head coach involvement); Giant Eagle (event-driven with grand openings and onsite promotions); and Meijer (regional branding, with a focus beyond grocery in areas such as apparel). All told, the grocery category brings more than $1.5 million to OSU each year.

• Auto: Custom programs allow auto brands to co-exist at OSU as an annual multi-million dollar category. In addition to fulfilling IMG’s national Hyundai program, DeWeese carved out other successful programs. Hometown dealer Tansky Toyota focuses on signage and promotions, test drives, and fun activities like shooting T-shirts into the grandstands. Honda Manufacturing has strong ties to OSU’s Engineering department and recruits heavily at the school. Central Ohio

Toyota concentrates on basketball media buys. Central Ohio Ford goes heavy in fan fest activation along with radio and signage. Mazda focuses on radio.

• Insurance: The lucrative multi-million dollar category features another creative carve-up among several top companies: Nationwide (IP exclusivity), Motorist Insurance Group (exclusivity for network in-game radio and coaches’ call-in network radio), Pekin Insurance, and Auto Owners Insurance.

• MillerCoors: The OSU team has created significant value and results helping MillerCoors vault from the #7 beer brand in Columbus to #2.

• QSR: Even with Subway as OSU Athletics’ official training restaurant, DeWeese and team created programs to bring in McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Donato’s Pizzeria, Domino’s Pizza, and Jet’s Pizza.

While it can be difficult for a superstar seller to evolve into a top-flight manager, DeWeese recruited and continues to lead four sellers comprising IMG’s top college sales team.

“I’m a big believer in the human aspect – providing coaching and opportunities for our sellers to grow as people,” DeWeese says. “My job is to structurally and environmentally set our people up for success. Every individual is unique, responding to different kinds of motivation. I’ve got to constantly be aware of everyone’s personal challenges, protect them from burning out, and keep them refreshed, inspired, and focused on the big picture so they’re not always sucked into the issues of today.”

“Brand sponsors, vendors, and University administrators admire and respect Ray, his quiet integrity, and his work ethic,” said Cameron Scholvin, RVP for the Midwest. “They view him as a highly trusted business partner with valuable ideas, strategic counsel, and a partner-first approach.”

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RAYDeWEESE

Ray DeWeese, RVP Cameron Scholvin, and Ben Sutton

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ollowing another extraordinary regular and bowl season, college football’s new post-season demonstrated just how successful our industry has become.

The inaugural College Football Playoff semifinal featuring Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama and Florida State drew the two biggest cable audiences of all time, even out-rating the first two NFL wild card games! And the championship game drew more than 34 million total viewers. OSU’s victory over Oregon at AT&T Stadium in Texas delivered both the biggest audience and rating in cable history!

The expansion of college sports makes what we do at IMG a lot more interesting as new competitors eye an industry that’s booming, full of opportunity, and teeming with change.

For more than 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to lead teams built for and committed to long-term partnerships. Across our businesses, IMG has served more than 160 schools for 10 years or more. We’ve lost a few, but we’ve gained far more, now representing over 200 different universities in one or more of our four market-leading businesses.

A more competitive marketplace spurs us to improve our own game. We have the best talent in sports, and under new ownership we’re re-investing in our partnerships more in keeping with our heritage. In fact, we signed or renewed more than 60 school partnerships last year. College is poised for a phenomenal 2015.  

Across the industry, schools are hungry for new ideas and approaches. We’re meeting this need through initiatives like:

‣ Bringing regional and national sellers together to collaborate as one true unified sales organization receiving more support.

‣ A new, scalable fundraising business, launched at UNC-Asheville, which has attracted more corporate/annual-fund revenue in our first three months than the school realized in the entire previous year without us. 

‣ Expanded services across the broader campus through “Total Campus Marketing” with the local IMG sales staff representing university assets and opportunities beyond athletics. 

‣ Digital platforms to enhance school fan engagement, marketing, and sponsorship opportunities.

‣ Connecting with fans in new ways, such as TuneIn’s groundbreaking app, which allowed more than two million fans to listen to the voices of IMG Audio anywhere in the world.

‣ Providing schools and retailers with exclusive retail intelligence – real-time data showing exactly which licensed products are selling in specific channels. 

We are thrilled Tim Pernetti has joined our deep leadership team to lead our multi-media business and manage our day-to-day operations and P&L. I am excited to continue in my role as Chairman, overseeing our current businesses and a few more we hope to acquire and move into in the near future. I will promise you this—I have never worked harder, nor have the folks around me; you will be very impressed with the caliber and quality of these upcoming developments, including rolling out a half dozen major business over the next few months as we paper up newly agreed terms and extensions with formidable brands in college sports.  Our team is far and away the best in the space, and there’s never been a better time for our company.

One of the many reasons for my optimism is because WME truly “gets” college, is highly enthusiastic about our business, has set realistic budgetary and growth goals, and is providing essential new resources in areas like marketing, digital, and research, as well as access to music, acting, fashion and literary talent and content.

College sports have grown so large because this is a great business. And IMG represents the best franchises in college sports. In a three-day span where I was at the Belk Bowl, the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the CEO and/or CMO of each of these mega-brand title sponsors conveyed to me that IMG College represents the championship programs and teams that matter most to them.

We have the properties, the expertise, and the resources. While ESPN has TV ratings, only IMG brings real and personal connections to that multitude of passionate fans! To be an even more indispensable partner, we do need to be smarter, more creative and collaborative, and willing to take advantage of everything at our disposal. Most of all, in the representation business, we need to redouble our commitment to client service, over-delivering on every discussion, every project, every day.  

Working together as a confident team supporting and collaborating with one another, we can build on our accomplishments in 2014 to make this year our best yet!

Thoughts from the desk of Ben Sutton

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n 2014, CLC signed or renewed more than 50 properties. Two overseas deals stood out: a new three-year international representation agreement with the U.S Military Academy (Army) and a five-year extension with New York University, the top-selling school outside the U.S.

CLC International represents 51 partner schools overseas with 32 active licensees. College merchandise is now sold in nearly 50 countries (and six of the seven continents), including Australia, Russia, China, Japan, and most EU countries.

College licensing sales outside the U.S. are growing at a strong rate. CLC International paid out to schools 25% more in royalties in 2013 vs. 2012. Europe led the way, soaring 52%. Australia/NZ grew 50%, and Japan was up 27%.

CLC works closely with IMG Licensing offices in London, Tokyo, and Toronto to develop its international business. “These offices are a significant asset for us, and we’ve really worked hard to improve the relationship and communication,” said Travis Self, Manager, CLC International.

International licensing is new to the Academy, which is represented by CLC in America. Army’s goals are brand exposure and selling product in new markets.

Army was drawn to CLC International’s success with other service academies.

CLC also represents the Coast Guard and works with Air Force on several p ro g r a m s , i n c l u d i n g l i ce n s e e Champion Europe, making the

Academy one of CLC’s top sellers.

“We’ve seen a surge in demand for Service Academy product oversees, and Army was very

receptive to partnering,” Self said. “There’s an ‘Americana trend’ that Army can capitalize on.”

To make the most of that trend, CLC will first focus on apparel product, primarily with Champion Europe, CLC’s top overseas licensee. Longer term, Self sees the potential to package Army with the other academies.

“There’s value in bundling the Service Academy institutions and telling a more cohesive story rather than positioning each one individually,” Self said.

Since CLC began representing NYU globally in 2005, the Violets have historically been the top-selling school overseas. That success comes even without a powerhouse sports program. Everyone is drawn to the allure of New York, America’s gateway city, which is a gigantic brand in itself.

Europe is NYU’s top market, accounting for more than three quarters of its gross royalties. CLC International’s extensive relationship with Champion Europe has made NYU a mainstay of its US collegiate assortment. Most of Champion Europe’s product sales are in Italy, Spain, and other Western European markets.

“CLC will focus on helping NYU grow into new markets such as Central Europe and Eastern Asia,” Self said. “Our story to prospective licensees is to emphasize the lifestyle and Americana angle that drives much of the NYU and international college business.”

ILICENSING GLOBAL GROWTH CONTINUES

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FEBRUARY 2015 | 11

Chris Adams has parlayed an IMG marketing internship with Southern Miss, his alma mater, into an account executive role with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Southern Miss.

Travis Alston has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Georgia State as an account executive. He was previously a game operations assistant with the Atlanta Dream and the Atlanta Hawks. Travis has a business administration degree from Savannah State University.

Daniel Barton has joined Southern Miss IMG Sports Network as a senior account executive. He previously was a digital sales manager with WDAM TV/Raycom Media, and a marketing sales associate with Sysco Food Services. He earned his B.A. in Broadcast Journalism/Communications at Southern Miss.

Marc Brafman has joined Bearcats IMG Sports Marketing (Cincinnati) as an account executive. He was previously senior director of business development for Kentucky Speedway and a sales manager for Feld Entertainment. Marc is a graduate of The University of Alabama.

Emily Brown is now an account executive for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Penn State. Previously, she served on the customer service team for Cincinnati Bearcat Athletics, her alma mater.

Colin Bush has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/UNLV as an account executive, coming to our team from Legend Sales and Marketing (NY Yankees). Colin earned his B.S. in Sport Management from St. John Fisher College.

Chad Cheesboro has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/South Carolina, his alma mater, as an account executive. He was previously a ticket sales rep at the Miami Dolphins and also sold for the New Jersey Nets.

Christopher Curtis is now an account executive with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Auburn, coming from the Sacramento Kings where he was a ticket sales consultant. Chris earned his B.A. in Science and Economics at University of Oregon.

Zach Deutsch is now an account executive with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/West Virginia, joining from an internship with the Brooklyn Nets . Zach earned h is B.S . in Sport Management at Georgia Southern University.

Brad Drummond has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Virginia Tech as an account executive. He was previously a property assistant with our South Carolina property, where he graduated with a B.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management.

Robert Gassett has joined IMG College Audio as a lead technical producer. Robert previously worked with IMG College Audio in a seasonal role. He attended Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem focusing on broadcast production.

Chris Gilmore is now new media producer for IMG College New Media. He was previously a freelance videographer and editor with Georgia IMG Sports Media. Chris earned his B.A. in Digital and Broadcast Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Daniel Izzo has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions as GM at the University of South Florida operation. He was previously a premium sales manager with the Philadelphia 76ers and a senior premium sales executive with the Orlando Magic. Daniel has an M.S. in Sport Management from Drexel University.

Marcus Jackson is now an account executive for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Penn State, his alma mater. He was a marketing intern for Penn State Sports Properties and director of sports marketing for the Penn State Marketing Association.

Justin James is now an account executive with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Pittsburgh, coming from the Pittsburgh Power (Arena Football), where he was an account executive. Justin has an M.S. in Sport Management from California University of Pennsylvania.

Chris Keirns is now an account executive with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Colorado, joining from an internship at Arkansas Athletics. Chris earned a Master of Education in Sport Management at University of Arkansas.

Kimberly Kirchdorfer has jo ined IMG Publishing as a graphic designer. Previously, she was a graphic artist with The Morehead News. She graduated from Morehead State University with a B.A. in Communications.

ROSTERCHANGES

12 | FEBRUARY 2015

Scott Kotick has joined the IMG College Digital Assets team as partnerships manager. Scott had worked for FSU Athletics as assistant director of digital media and also has experience in broadcasting with ESPN3. He graduated from Emory University with an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Brittani LeBel has joined CLC as a representative in the Partner Services division. She most recently was a licensing assistant in the Athletics department for the University of New Hampshire, her alma mater, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration.

Oba Lloyd has joined IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Temple as an account executive. He was previously an inside sales consultant with the Cleveland Browns. Oba earned a master’s degree in sport management at Drexel University.

Kevin McCormick has joined UNC Asheville IMG Sports Marketing as development director. Kevin’s experience in donor relations includes Cal as associate director of development, annual giving and alumni relations. He earned a B.S. in Recreation and Community Management from ASU and an M.S. in Sport Administrations from Wichita State University.

Jessie O’Connell has joined Georgia IMG Sports Marketing as partner services coordinator. Jessie previously worked as a manager of fan development/account executive with the Carolina RailHawks. She has a B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia.

Alex Rhodes is now an account executive with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Southern Illinois, his alma mater. He was previously an account executive at Rover Enterprises.

Carolyn Simon is now an account executive at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Air Force. She has a B.A. in Sport Management from the University of Tampa, where she worked in the sports information department.

Patrick Stacy has joined Jayhawk IMG Sports Marketing as a new partner services coordinator. A University of Kansas alumnus, Patrick earned his B.S. and M.S. in Journalism. He most recently worked with the Kansas City Chiefs in customer relations.

Wilson S. Temple, IV, is now account executive at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/UNLV, joining from an inside sales associate role with the New York Mets. He is a sport management graduate of University of Dayton.

Juan Toro is now an account executive at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/NC State, his alma mater. Previously, Juan was a group sales associate with the Carolina Mudcats baseball club.

Sara Traver is now an account executive at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Tennessee, joining from the member relations group with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She graduated from The University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology.

LaTonya Washington has joined CLC as associate counsel, coming from a role as senior counsel, business and legal affairs with UP TV. Her legal experience includes st ints with Turner Broadcasting Systems and Anheuser-Busch. LaTonya earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois.

Michael Wilkes has joined Georgia IMG Sports Marketing as a senior account executive. He was prev iously v ice president of corporate partnerships and premium sales for the Carolina Railhawks and sold for Tar Heel Sports Properties. Michael has a B.A. in Economics from North Carolina State University.

Andrew Wright has joined the IMG College Finance team as regional business manager for the Midwest. He has previously held roles as a senior audit associate at Smith Leonard PLLC and an audit associate at Grant Thornton LLP. Andrew received his B.S. and M.S. in Accounting at Appalachian State University.

ROSTERCHANGES

FEBRUARY 2015 | 13

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Lowell Berg has been promoted to general manager of ticket sales for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Penn State, where he had been a senior account executive.

Dave Bouteiller has moved from general manager at UCF IMG Sports Marketing to GM at Georgia Tech.

Phil Brame has been promoted to network manager from producer at IMG Audio.

Anthony DiFino has been promoted to regional manager, ticket sales northeast for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. He had been general manager of the joint venture’s Penn State operation.

Brian Gilroy II has been promoted to general manager, ticket sales at IMG Learfield Ticket Solution/Virginia Tech. He had been an account representative for the Auburn operation.

Eric Hart has been promoted to director of strategic brand management at CLC from director of business development and promotional licensing.

Ian Haynes has been promoted to account executive from partner services coordinator at Duke.

Ben Jones has been promoted from regional marketing manager to partnership marketing manager on the Marketing Services team.

Jonathan Jick is now general manager, ticket sales for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Northern Illinois. He had been a senior account executive with the University of Northern Iowa.

Philip McCarn has moved from sales director in IMG College Events and Entertainment to senior account executive at Georgia Tech.

Timothy McGinn has been promoted from licensing coordinator to apparel marketing manager at CLC.

Lisa Pilans has been promoted from business analyst to finance and operations manager in Business Ventures.

Matthew Reynolds has been promoted from account executive to general manager, ticket sales at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions/Penn State.

Amanda Schutte has been promoted from partner services coordinator at Michigan to a partnership marketing manager in New York.

Darrias Thomas has been promoted from producer to video production manager for IMG College Video Production at University of Georgia.

Scott Vieson, a partner services coordinator, has moved from University of Florida to Florida State.

ROSTERCHANGES

Congratulations to CLC’s Holly Ramey and her husband Brad on

the birth of their adorable daughter, Hayden Clarke Ramey.

NEWARRIVALS

Hudson Jagger Ahmadieh was born to Tiffany and Mo Ahmadieh

of CLC. No word yet on the “moves like…”

Mazel tov to CLC’s Ryan and Lynn Earman on the birth of “Milly.” Mom and baby are doing great.

FEBRUARY 2015 | 13

14 | FEBRUARY 2015

FACES&PLACES

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1. FSU voices Gene Deckerhoff and William Floyd at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville before the Seminoles huge comeback win over Louisville.

2. Baylor Associate GM Matt Iazzetti, Thomas “Banks” Sheppard, Ben Sutton, Baylor GM Brian George, and RVP Scott Mackenzie at a big Bears win over Kansas at McLane Stadium in Waco.

3. Jon Kuka, GM for our A10/Horizon League/Ohio Valley Conference properties and his wife, Alicia, at the WME Country Music Awards After Party in Nashville.

4. IMG LA superstar Peter Mosienko with his wife, Cherry, at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley.

5. Holiday greetings from Southern Miss’ (L to R) Daniel Barton, Jamie Martin, Mary Lois Brady, and Jeremy Ward with mascot Seymour.

6. On both sides of the ball for college football’s championship (L to R): IMG College Chairman & President Ben Sutton Jr.; Ray DeWeese, GM Ohio State IMG Sports Marketing; WME-IMG co-CEO Patrick Whitesell; Brian Movalson, GM, Oregon IMG Sports Marketing; and WME-IMG COO Jason Lublin.

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