HeraldSun wrote:Pies out to be a world brand
13 February 2005 Sunday Herald Sun
By CHRIS TINKLER
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.html
Clothes, shops, TV, travel
COLLINGWOOD'S football empire is going global with a new TV channel, leisure clothes, shops and travel. And it is expanding its snack foods business.
"We want to be the biggest sports brand in South-East Asia," club president Eddie McGuire said.
Magpies TV will be launched at the start of the season as part of a major revamp of the club's website.
The broadband service will include interviews, match previews and reviews, and media conferences.
A men's and women's clothing range will be launched mid-year.
The range, which does not yet have a brand name, is expected to include fashion shirts, T-shirts and casual trousers.
"We are talking to a major retailer," club chief executive Greg Swann said.
Fans will also be able to buy the leisure brand, as well as sports gear, through an online store.
A Collingwood sports shop has been established in Dubai, with gear being sold in sponsor Emirates' airport shop.
Negotiations are proceeding for a similar shop at London's Heathrow Airport.
Collingwood's Winners food range will be available in Coles supermarkets in days.
The Energy fruit bars and Gym recovery chocolate bars are already distributed to convenience shops, gyms and health food stores.
The club has not ruled out marketing further products, such as "boost" drinks.
Collingwood's Pie In The Sky travel agency, launched last year, is being expanded with packages to sports events including Wimbledon, the Ashes and Superbowl.
The Jetset agency in Commercial Rd, Prahran, which has travel packages for AFL games and international deals through Collingwood's link with Emirates, has already turned over $3 million.
A Magpies partnership with English soccer giant Arsenal is possible and they are looking to strengthen ties with baseball's Boston Red Sox in the US.
McGuire said Collingwood's Centre For Excellence at the Lexus Centre would be developed into the world's best for sports training and medicine -- attracting top clubs and stars from across the globe.
He said the centre also was being marketed as a conventions, functions and conference venue.
"The sponsorship market is only so big. There are a lot more things we want to do at Collingwood, so we have to make money in other ways," McGuire said.
Gotta to give it to Eddie, as much as I hate the merkin, he is good for the Collingwood Football Club and certainly knows how to market his club.
