Ascot Racecourse appointed IMG "as its first outside licensing representative in a multiyear agreement," according to Liz Mullen of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. IMG will "immediately work" with the 305-year-old thoroughbred racetrack to create a "year-round licensing portfolio" that includes Ascot and its Royal Ascot racing festival across a range of products, including apparel, bags, leather goods, stationery, housewares and memorabilia. Financial details of the agreement "were not disclosed." IMG VP of Licensing Simon Gresswell said, "Our aim is to implement licensing activity and on-site retailing for both the Ascot and Royal Ascot brands, which appropriately reflect the style, history, pageantry and unique sense of occasion that the Ascot experience evokes." IMG also will manage on-site retailing at the Ascot, Berkshire, England-based racetrack beginning in '17, "including Royal Ascot in June, the King George Weekend in July and Qipco British Champions Day in October." Ascot Commercial Dir Juliet Slot said that the agreement with IMG "came after a long and in-depth project aimed at defining, developing and relaunching the brand." Slot: "We believe our world-class sporting heritage, royal association and strong fashion links will help us to create a unique, elegant and vibrant lifestyle portfolio" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, issue 2/15).
