The 4-year-old international group, which already holds licenses for several other major properties such as FIFA and Walt Disney, has taken on all the direct licensing rights for the merchandise and retail operations of the PGA (Professional Golf Association) Tour throughout Europe, Mexico, South America and Asia, with the exception of Japan, from a previous license holder, Summit Properties International, with which it had a partnership before. The U.S. market is excluded from the deal. Through the new agreement, Global Brands Group will manage the licenses for PGA Tour products including leisurewear, performance sportswear, accessories and other items. In addition, the group will develop retail concepts such as PGA branded stores and driving ranges.
Global Brands recently named Gary Schoenfeld, former chief executive of Vans, as its co-chief executive and president. Based in Los Angeles, he will share the role of CEO with Mark Matheny, who is also chairman, based in Singapore. The group has offices in many different countries.
Global Events has also named XP Events, a Colorado-based retail merchandising company, to handle all on-site product concessions at select events of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), including the 2007 FIBA America Championship taking place in Las Vegas this summer and FIBA Eurobasket in Spain. Last March Global Brands was named the master licensee for FIBA intellectual property through 2014.
Global Brands, which describes itself as master licensee of FIFA, notes that it named XP Events last November as the exclusive on-site merchandise concessionaire for all FIFA events from 2007 to 2010, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
