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Contact: Cary Littlejohn, carylittlejohn@missouri.edu
Photo by International College Licensing Association
The University of Missouri is the land of black and gold, but did you know that Mizzou’s Office of Licensing and Brand Management is tasked with making sure it’s the right black (PANTONE PROCESS C) and gold (PANTONE 124 C)?
Licensing and Brand Management works tirelessly to protect the identity, brand and marks of the University of Missouri — including the Tiger’s head logo, the fonts used to spell out “Missouri” and “Tigers,” the stacked MU logo and the classic imagery of the Columns, to name a few. The team was recently recognized for ongoing innovation at the International Collegiate Licensing Association’s winter symposium.
“We’re proud to receive the ICLA Brand Protection Award for a program that strengthens Mizzou’s brand protection through sustainable funding, stronger partnerships and consistent brand stewardship,” Sonja Derboven, director of licensing and brand management, said.
The award was given to Mizzou for its implementation of an internal licensing program, which was created to establish an ongoing funding source to protect and expand the university’s trademark registrations.
The program strengthened partnerships with internal licensees by reducing the number of approved vendors, as well as implementing strategic refinements that improved product quality and ensured brand consistency. In its first year, the program allowed for expanded federal trademark registrations, including The Zou, Mizzoumade and the stacked MU logo, as well as exploration of international protections. The program also gained campuswide support through a targeted education-and-outreach program.
