Merchantwise has been selected by the Australian Olympic Committee as master licensee to drive its licensing and merchandising programme in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, followed by the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina.
With a mission to cement the Australian Olympic Team as a year-round sports brand which champions the spirit of Australian sport, the licensing programme will aim to attract broad appeal for children and adults across all tiers of retail.
The Australian Olympic Committee licensing programme will see a wide-ranging and recognisable asset base become available for partners. This will include the official Olympic logos, as well as the team mascot, the Boxing Kangaroo.
The programme will also incorporate specially created assets of Indigenous art commissioned for the Australian Olympic Team.
Merchantwise will also work with the Australian Olympic Committee to develop and enhance the merchandise programme for its annual Have a Go campaign, a national grass roots programme designed to inspire Australians of all ages to participate in Olympic sports.
Last year, almost 20 million Australians tuned in to coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games via the Seven Network (according to data accrued from VOZ which combines metropolitan and regional television audiences).
“The AOC is very excited to announce Merchantwise as our new master licensee,” commented Matt Carroll, ceo of the Australian Olympic Committee. “Merchantwise is kitting out Australian sports fans who will be cheering on Aussie athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics and all along the green and gold runway through to Brisbane 2032. Sports fans will have the opportunity to support the Australian Olympic Team by buying any official licensed product from an exciting range to be launch in 2023.”
Alan Schauder, group ceo of Merchantwise Group, continued: “The Olympic Rings is one of the world’s greatest brands. In today’s troubled world, Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship have never been more important or relevant.
“The AOC is working tirelessly to prepare our powerhouse Aussie team for Paris in 2024 and we look forward to many more incredible sporting moments as our athletes strive to achieve their dreams. I’m sure there are some Aussie kids out there in the Have a Go programme that will wear the green and gold at the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.”
Licensing partnership opportunities are now open for discussion across a variety of categories including apparel, fashion accessories, sporting goods, toys, food and beverage, as well as in ecommerce, location-based entertainment and consumer promotions.
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