WITHIN TWO weeks of the start of a brief regional advertising print campaign seeking potential licensees for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 licensing and merchandising programme, more than 250 Caribbean companies, individuals and consortiums have responded, signalling their interest in being part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Each of these hundreds of Caribbean companies is seeking to secure the acquisition of non-exclusive licensing rights to manufacture official ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 merchandise, utilising event marks which include the recently-revealed ICC CWC WI 2007 logo and character mascot, Mello.
OVERWHELMING INTEREST
"The ongoing rush for the expression of interest document has far exceeded CWC 2007 initial expectations. We are extremely encouraged by the overwhelming interest shown, and further submissions continue to stream into our offices on a daily basis. It is obvious from the mass response we've received so far, that these Caribbean companies all see the potential for huge economic returns by branding various forms of approved merchandise with the lovable Mello character, already a hit with thousands across the globe, and the CWC 2007 logo with its Caribbean theme and vibrant colours, which has been warmly embraced by the people of the region and beyond," said Stephen Price of the ICC CWC WI 2007 Commercial Department.
"We're looking forward to signing the first of a multitude of waves of licensees for the programme from as early as October this year across a variety of categories.
"In addition, we're particularly proud of this programme as it fully commits itself to one of the major objectives of the Caribbean Economic Enterprise Initiative, which is to provide Caribbean companies and nationals with the opportunity to benefit economically from the staging of the CWC in the West Indies. We're confident that the successful Caribbean licensees will reap rewards."
Expressions of interest were submitted from companies in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and as far away as Canada and Switzerland.
For further information, send an email to: licensing@ cricketworldcup.com The cool and fun-loving mascot, Mello, is one of the event's trademarks which approved licensees will be able to use on branded merchandise. For further information contact: Gayle Alleyne, media relations officer, ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc. Mobile: +1 876 999-0327 Email: gayle.alleyne@ cricketworldcup.com.
