SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (August 12, 2013) – Little League® Baseball and Softball announced today the appointment of Atlanta-based Fermata Partners to manage its retail licensing program. Fermata Partners will assume management of Little League’s existing base of retail licensees, and is charged with extending the stable of Little League licensed brands into additional retail product categories and distribution channels.
“People want to connect with Little League because it is such a special experience for the millions of players, parents, volunteers and fans around the world,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. “Through our partnership with Fermata Partners, we will be able to share that Little League experience and provide an opportunity for our fans to bring the Little League brand into their homes.”
From lamps and furniture to picture frames and digital apps, Little League’s retail licensing program, first established in 1995, has extended the Little League name into video games, home furnishings and various gift, novelty and general hard good categories. Little League also offers an endemic licensing program, which administers licensing of authorized in-game equipment and accessories such as baseballs, softballs, bats and training aids. Little League International will continue to manage its endemic licensing program in house.
“The Little League brand has such a great authenticity within baseball, softball, youth sports in general, and American and international cultures,” said Derek Eiler, Managing Partner of Fermata Partners. “Our objective will be to deliver that authenticity through new and unique licensed products that extend, support and enhance consumers’ experience with the Little League brand, both in the United States and abroad.”
Fermata Partners’ representation of Little League’s retail licensing became effective January 1, 2013. The firm has been actively engaged with existing licensees to explore growth opportunities, while also working to identify category and channel opportunities for new licensees focused on Little League’s 75th Anniversary.
About Little League®
Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with 2.4 million players and one million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries. For more information, visit LittleLeague.org, or follow the Little League on Facebook (facebook.com/LittleLeagueBaseballAndSoftball) or Twitter (twitter.com/LittleLeague).
About Fermata Partners
Fermata Partners is a boutique brand consulting firm with deep experience in trademark licensing, strategic planning, and product category development. The firm was founded in the fall of 2011 by four longtime licensing industry executives that helped to build The Collegiate Licensing Company into one of the top ten largest licensors in North America. With licensing and consulting clients both in the U.S. and overseas, Fermata is focused on forming deep client alliances to guide the process of aligning licensing strategies with the mission, vision, and values of its customers. More information on the firm can be found at fermatapartners.com
For more information contact:
Brian McClintock
Little League Baseball and Softball
Office: 570-326-1921, ext. 2252
Cell: 570-772-2431
E-mail: bmcclintock@LittleLeague.org
Website: LittleLeague.org
Scott Bouyack
Fermata Partners
Phone: 404-996-1965
E-mail: sb@fermatapartners.com
Website: FermataPartners.com