ICLA Licensing 2024 Award Winners
March 14, 2024
ICLA Licensing, also known as the International Collegiate Licensing Association, declared North Carolina State University Trademark Licensing as the 2024 winner of the Synergy Award. The announcement was made at the ICLA Licensing Winter Symposium taking palce in conjunction with the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Additional award winners were announced:
Howard University Trademark Licensing for Revenue Generation
University of Wyoming Trademark Licensing for Collaboration, Impact and Commitment
University of Missouri Trademark Licensing for Innovation and Vision
As winners of ICLA Licensing’s biggest honor, the Synergy Award, North Carolina Sate Trademark Licensing achieved huge success in academic year 2023-24. Leaders of NC State Licensing are:
Christopher Boyer, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Strategic Brand Management
Gregg Zarnstorff, Director of Trademarks and Brand Protection, Strategic Brand Management
Sonni Minton, Assistant Director of Trademarks Licensing and Brand Protection
Below is a glimpse of what North Carolina State University Trademark Licensing Achieved:
Achieved record licensing royalties for a second year in a row, with an increase of of 30%
Lifted higher in the Collegiate Licensing Company rankings, now in 28th position.
Growth attributed to strategies associated with mid level apparel and headwear.
Put in place an e-commerce plan that was equal weight between Amazon and Fanatics, held special collaborations with licenees working with Amazon.
Howard University Trademark Licensing was recognized for collegiate licensing revenue generation. In 2023-24, Howard University Trademark Licensing grew tremendously, achieving the following:
21% increase in licensees.
Overall sales increased 51%.
Unit sales lifted by 40%.
Average unit price increased by 7.4%.
11.3% increase in artwork submissions.
Howard University Trademark Licensing was strategic in welcoming new partners, these included adding Lululemon and FISLL.
University of Wyoming Trademark Licensing was recognized for Collaboration, Impact and Commitment. Below are the highlights of their program.
Continued its partnership with the City of Laramie and Visit Laramie to put in place a city-wide UW flag program, elevating the welcoming atmosphere for new students and visitors in Laramie.
Worked alongside the Brown and Gold Outlet, the licensing program successfully completed projects such as the NIL apparel and NIL basketball jersey program and introduced collections such as the Josh Allen and Logan Wilson replicas to retail. A partnership with New Era, resulted with the introduction of a brown and gold Buffalo Bills hat and a co-branded JA17 Wyoming Cowboys collection. This contributed to a significant increase in sales from $13,890 in 2021 to $97,993 in 2022.
In a pertnership with Black Tooth Brewing Company, launced a branded craft beer that uniquley feature rotating can artwork that represt Wyoming and the University.
Activated special partnerships with rival schools such as Colorado State University to recognize the Battle for the Bronze Boot.
University of Missouri Trademark Licensing was recognized for Innovation and Vision, below are some highlights of their licensing program.
Student Made Program provides pride to the university. This a partnership that includes the Textile & Apparel Management Program, Champion, The Mizzou Store and CLC Licensing. In this particular effort, students partnered with Champion to make a collection of College vault themed products, once the products were produced they were put up to a vote on social media. The winning products were produced and sold at the Mizzou Store with the result of:
$33,466 in wholesale sales.
Royalties produced were $6,023.
A 79% sell through rate with a total of 1,469 units sold.
This unique project resulted in students gaining experience in a real world scenario of design and retail. A great example of how the collegiate licensing industry can support student learning.