NYC MARKETING'S LICENSING DIVISION
NYC Marketing, the marketing office of New York City government, announces the establishment of New York City's new merchandise licensing program. NYC Marketing, operating as the first centralized licensing authority for the City, will serve as the exclusive licensing agent for the City in order to manage and protect its trademarks, logos and copyrights.
These new licensing efforts allow the City to offer rights to its wide variety of service agencies including the FDNY, NYPD, Department of Parks & Recreation, Taxi & Limousine Commission, Department of Sanitation, Department of Transportation and the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. NYC Marketing is also managing all previously existing license agreements that have been assigned to the City.
As the City's licensing authority, NYC Marketing is focusing on the development, management and protection of the City's intellectual property. In addition, it is providing all necessary in-house services that support the office's day-to-day operations, including financial management, legal and trademark enforcement support, quality control procedures and logo distribution. NYC Marketing's licensing team has drawn upon their past experience and will continue to incorporate successful strategies from their prior work at prominent sports and entertainment organizations to structure and manage the City's merchandise program.
On February 9, 2005, NYC Marketing released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for licensing rights to major merchandise categories including adult apparel (including headwear), children's apparel (including headwear), souvenirs and replica vehicles. Additionally, NYC Marketing sought proposals for licensing representation outside North America.
The deadline to submit proposals for any of the above mentioned categories and products was 12:00 PM (EST) on April 7, 2005. To reference this solicitation, click here.
Thank you in advance for your interest in creating quality licensed products for the City of New York.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSALS: UNIQUE PRODUCTS
To complement the aforementioned major merchandise categories RFP, NYC Marketing, in an effort to provide licensed products in the widest variety of classifications possible, is continually looking to identify organizations that can enhance and expand the City's merchandise selection. These unique (defined as not within the above mentioned major merchandise categories) products must be consistent with the City's quality control standards as well as branding image.
In order to be considered, proposers should articulate their organization's qualifications in the most concise and consistent format possible. Each submission should incorporate, where appropriate, the following criteria:
a) GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
- A brief history of the proposer's organization
- Experience to undertake this project
- Prior history of success with licensed brands
- Photographic images or catalogs (no samples please) of relevant products
- Product expertise and quality standards
- Most recent annual report and audited financial statements over the last three years prepared in accordance with standard accounting principles
- Disclosure of the existence of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise if awarded a license
b) BUSINESS STRATEGY
- Desired product(s) to be licensed
- Proposed term of any potential agreement
- Proposed structure of relationship, as either licensee, master licensee or agent for a particular group of products
- Strategy for utilizing all available City trademarks
- Projected timing for shipping product(s) to retail
- Strategies to address suitable distribution channels including street vendors, souvenir shops, mass market retailers, department/specialty stores and direct marketing solutions, including online and catalog sales
- Sourcing and manufacturing resources relevant to this project
- Dedicated staffing and resource plan to handle the scope of the license sought including management, sales, creative resources, and operations
- Support of NYC Marketing's advertising and marketing plans, including potentially cooperative advertising and/ or retail co-op funds
- Approximate percentage of proposer's revenue expected to be generated from this project
c) TERRITORY
It is anticipated that the licensing opportunity will be limited to North America, defined as the United States, its territories, possessions and military posts, Mexico and Canada.
d) PAYMENT STRUCTURE
A payment structure is needed to confirm the proposer's associated financial commitment. Such proposals would include information consisting of at least:
- Wholesale Royalty Percentage Compensation
- Advance Royalty Payments
- Annual Minimum Guaranteed Royalty Revenue
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposer will be evaluated by NYC Marketing using the following criteria:
- Demonstrated history of success with leading licensed brands
- Demonstrated level of organizational capability and capacity
- Product expertise/ quality standards
- Quality of business strategy
- Financial proposal
Following initial review, and if determined to be in the best interest of the City, NYC Marketing may move forward and request supplemental or explanatory information, as well as in person interviews. Proposers are advised, however, that NYC Marketing has the option of selecting licensees without conducting negotiations. Therefore, each proposer should submit their best proposal initially. Negotiations may be conducted and proposers may be requested to submit their best and final offers. Upon conclusion, a recommendation regarding award will be made.
Please submit all materials to:
Attn: Licensing Division - RFEI Submission
NYC & Company
810 Seventh Ave, Third Floor
New York, NY 10019
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