Texas A&M Seeks To Extend Brand Nationally Through CLC Deal

Texas A&M Inks Deal With Collegiate Licensing Co.

Texas A&M Univ's decision to sign with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) was in part due to an effort to push the school's brand "beyond this state's borders," according to Brent Zwerneman of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. The school has "finally gone national with a symbol that's already recognized even to young men in Alabama -- but short of national television appearances by the football and basketball teams has rarely reached outside state lines." A&M AD Bill Byrne said the deal will "enable us to better capitalize on our athletic success." VP/Marketing & Communications Jason Cook added that the school has always "been on the playground and now [has] joined the big boys regarding licensing and marketing." Zwerneman notes A&M "would rank 15th among CLC's top-selling universities ... had the Aggies been a part of its operation the past year." Meanwhile, A&M Assistant VP/Business Development Shane Hinckley said that the school's traditional "ATM" logo will continue to be its primary marks, while its "T Star" logo will "serve as a secondary mark." A&M QB Jerrod Johnson: "We pride ourselves on our tradition. ... The T Star brings a new wave -- it's a new tradition starting. ... It (should) be a nice mix of the old and new" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 9/24).