LPGA Launches Flagship LPGA Retail Store in Korea with Plans for 100 More
In US, Licensing Lead by The Brand Liaison Licensing Agency
Daytona Beach, Florida, (September 6, 2016) – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) announced that its first retail store, called LPGA Gallery, opened this week in South Korea in partnership with MK Trend. The store opening is just the start of the LPGA’s ambitious expansion. In response to high demand, MK Trend plans to open more than a dozen stores in and around Seoul by September 2016, followed by a target of 100 stores by 2018. The LPGA Gallery will also open in China in two years.
In North America, LPGA licensing is led by licensing agency, The Brand Liaison. The Brand Liaison continues to focus on expanding the iconic LPGA brand, and its Girl’s Golf brand into a variety of consumer products including apparel, accessories, golf apparatus and other products for both on course performance and aspirational lifestyle. US product extensions include wholesale sales to existing retailers as well as potential for LPGA retail locations.
MK Trend created over 300 styles for Fall/Winter 2016, which includes men’s and women’s apparel, as well as accessories. Styles will soon be featured on www.lpgagallery.com and the line includes a fun motif, youthful design, and performance wear.
Korea was selected as the launching market for the new apparel, given its fashion-forward population and the high popularity of golf and the LPGA. The LPGA opened its Asia office in Seoul in 2014 and has held an official LPGA tournament, the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship, in Korea for more than 10 years. In 2018, the UL International Crown will also be held in Korea, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted outside the United States. Currently, nine of the Top 20 players in the Rolex Rankings waive the Korean flag.
The LPGA Gallery is the product of a licensing partnership with Seoul-based MK Trend that started in 2015. MK Trend is a leading apparel company boasting a variety of brands, including the National Basketball Association (NBA), TBJ, and Buckaroo. The apparel company has enjoyed a licensing agreement with the NBA since 2011 under which it opened 102 NBA stores in Korea.
Jon Podany, Chief Commercial Officer at the LPGA, highlights the significance of the LPGA Gallery: “We couldn’t be more excited about the launch and the long-term potential of our partnership with MK Trend.” Podany continues, “We believe we have the right partner in MK Trend and with the LPGA’s popularity in Korea, the timing is right to make a major statement.”
LPGA Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Anne McCarthy said, “The LPGA’s partnership with MK Trend underscores our commitment to the Korean market. We hope this apparel line enhances the fan experience and helps to grow the game of golf in Korea and the Asia Pacific region.”
Michael Kim, MK Trend CEO, said “Combining LPGA’s brand prominence with MK Trend’s expertise in distribution and design, we are confident that we can create one of the most successful golf wear brands in Asia. We fully expect to have the same type of success with the LPGA, as we’ve had with the NBA in which we have 102 stores in Korea since its inception in 2011. We look forward to a successful retail partnership with the LPGA.”
ABOUT THE LPGA
The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing 30 different countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while dedicated LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The Symetra Tour consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via: www.LPGA.com, www.facebook.com/lpga.official, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo.
Media Contact
Julie Yang – Manager, International Public Relations; julie.yang@lpga.com; (+01) 386.843.8866
High-resolution photos available upon request.
ABOUT MK TREND
MK Trend is a casual fashion brand that has represented style and quality since 1995. The group markets its products under five brands, namely the TBJ brand that represents local casual trends in Korea, Andew brand that expresses modern and chic city fashion, Buckaroo brand that represents jeans, NBA brand that reflects multi street casual, and the LPGA brand that just launched and represents golf wear. MK Trend went global to lead the mega hit of K-fashion over local markets and currently builds and manages a reputation in China, U.S., and Europe.
ABOUT THE BRAND LIAISON:
The Brand Liaison is a boutique licensing agency focused on creating new revenue streams for our clients through licensing, strategic partnerships and other brand extension programs. For licensors, our goal is to commercialize opportunities that will extend our clients’ brands into cohesive product categories to maximize their licensing potential. For manufacturers, we assist in acquiring brands and developing strong licensing programs in order to create long term retail success. In each case, we work closely with our clients to ensure that our brand extension activities compliment the strategic goals and objectives of each client and brand that we represent. http://thebrandliaison.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Heller
The Brand Liaison, LLC
Tel: 855-843-5424
