Introducing Infinite Drive, the world’s first driving metaverse

The Tiny Digital Factory, a leading developer and publisher of world-class racing and motorsport games, has announced Infinite Drive – the world’s first real driving metaverse. Ushering in a new era of racing games fuel-injected by web3 technology, Infinite Drive rolls out worldwide on mobile devices in Q4 2022.

Testing players’ driving skills with high-octane fun, Infinite Drive combines accessible and authentic gameplay with stunning recreations of officially licensed cars. The Tiny Digital Factory has long-standing relationships with world-class carmakers such as McLaren, Porsche, Mercedes AMG and Ford, while Infinite Drive’s showroom already includes high-performance cars from Renault, Alpine, Ruf and W Motors. Many more licenses are set to be confirmed within a few months, bringing Infinite Drive up to a full complement of over 150 officially licensed cars from more than 20 automotive brands.

Designed by racing fans for racing fans, Infinite Drive’s simulation-based gameplay brings the thrill of being in the driver’s seat to the mobile metaverse. Players will be able to feel, hear and experience each car’s unique characteristics out on track, competing online to earn the acclaim of being the number one driver. With the power of web3 technology, highly skilled drivers can even ‘race to earn’, taking the wheel on behalf of other players, entering official races, competitions and even sharing in the winnings, just like a real-world racing team.

As well as ‘race to earn’, meaningful integration of web3 technology allows players to build, trade and own their own dream car collection as they compete for pole position on track. Starting in summer 2022, Infinite Drive will offer an initial collection of 5,000 licensed NFT cars from premium real-world brands, which will provide immediate access to the game’s closed Alpha phase. However, there is no requirement for players to own a car to enjoy Infinite Drive and hone their racing skill, and the full game will be free-to-play on iOS and Android.

Stephane Baudet, Founder and CEO at The Tiny Digital Factory, says: “With its game-first engine architecture and unique digital car ownership, Infinite Drive is the zenith of twenty years of making driving simulation games. For decades, racing fans have been staring lovingly at dream cars in virtual garages. So we’ve used web3 tech to make it possible for gamers to actually own and earn from their vehicles, alongside a stunning player experience out on track. Infinite Drive offers the accessibility of mobile games, combined with play and earn, providing the tools to reward passionate players who are already organising racing events and helping us create the very best driving experience.”

Developed by industry veterans behind some of the most successful free-to-play mobile titles such as Jurassic World: The Game, Gangstar, Hitman Sniper, Fallout Shelter, and Rollercoaster Tycoon Touch, The Tiny Digital Factory team’s experience includes the chart-topping GT Manager and F1 Mobile Racing. It also worked with Animoca Brands to develop F1 Delta Time, a pioneering web3 driving game, as well as the renowned REVV Racing game. Built with this motor gaming development pedigree, Infinite Drive delivers a unique blend of exhilarating racing, missions, and achievements, with web3 digital supercar ownership and trading.

Formula 1 extends Fanatics partnership as it eyes global expansion into new markets

With the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship now in full throttle, Formula 1 has signed off a multi-year extension of its partnership with the licensed sports merchandise specialist, Fanatics.

The extension has been agreed following what the firm billed ‘an outstanding 2020 performance’, and will see Fanatics retain global e-commerce and manufacturing rights fort he F1 brand. The news arrives amid celebrations in the F1 camp, following a year that has sales on the official online F1 Store grow by more than 40 per cent globally.

Official Formula One merchandise is now delivered to fans in 143 different countries across the world. The strong performance has accelerated in the first six months of 2021, with sales on the official online F1 Store growing by triple digits compared to the same period in 2020.

The sport has also enjoyed an increased presence in the US, with the region becoming the most significant market with the most sales for the F1 site.

Fanatics, which partners with more than 300 of the biggest sports clubs and organisations in the world, has worked with Formula 1 to grow sales by almost 200 per cent since 2017 and has changed the way F1 fans purchase their merchandise online through a tech-infused approach to making and selling fan gear in today’s on-demand, mobile-first culture.

The official F1 online store utilizes Fanatics’ vertical commerce model, which combines on-demand manufacturing with an agile supply chain to produce the timeliest assortments of merchandise for Formula 1 fans. A key driver of sales on the official F1 online store in 2020 was the store’s move to Fanatics’ Cloud Commerce technology, which provides rapid navigation for fans across online and mobile sites.

Fanatics partners with many of the largest sporting organisations in the world including Manchester United, Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, NFL, NBA, MLB and the NHL.

Ben Pincus, director of commercial partnerships at Formula 1, said: “We are pleased to extend our ecommerce and licensing partnership with Fanatics on the back of an exceptional 2020 performance, which follows the remarkable growth we have seen over the last few years.

“Our ambition is to serve all our fans no matter where in the world they are located, and our focus in the years to come will be to access new markets and grow strategic territories like China.”

Zohar Ravid, general manager for Fanatics’ International Business, said: “We have worked in partnership with Formula 1 for a number of years now and grown its global merchandise business significantly in that time. The recent transfer of the site onto our innovative cloud commerce platform has delivered some incredible results in recent months; we are committed to building on that growth in the coming years and I am delighted that we will now be able to continue to deliver results and an incredible service to its global fanbase.”

Formula One’s Williams Racing taps The Point. 1888 to drive extensive licensing programme

The Point. 1888 has been tapped to drive Williams Racing’s brand licensing programme into pole position with an extensive range of new products for the Williams fanbase.

Synonymous with top level motorsport since the 1960s, Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams, racing in the top echelon or motor racing, where it has won grands prix for more than three decades.

The Point. 1888 will now work with the team to extend its licensing operation using its ‘retail-first methodology’ to ‘reverse engineer the licensing process’ and select licensing partners that align with Williams’ core values. Matching the team with the right companies will open a host of new opportunities for engagement on a global scale, helping boost revenue and brand affiliation for Williams Racing.

Tim Hunt, commercial and marketing director for Williams Racing, said: “We are excited to have The Point.1888 on board to extend our brand licensing programme and to enable us to work with businesses we never thought we would. Through careful consideration of the types of products that will suit our purpose and values, we have the opportunity to increase our fan-base and build on our brand affiliation. We look forward to working The Point.1888 and seeing the incredible results.”

Hannah Stevens, head of retail and sports at The Point.1888, added: “As a huge F1 fan, I have admired the Williams Racing team for many years and I’m thrilled to be able to work with them on this iconic sporting brand as they take their first major steps into the world of licensing  and help fans to find new ways to engage with this incredible sport.”

WildBrain CPLG tapped as Motul eyes lifestyle brand extension across apparel, toys, and more

WildBrain CPLG has been tapped as the global agent for the engine oil brand, Motul in an agreement that will mark its first expansion into licensed products. Under the partnership, WildBrain CPLG’s dedicated lifestyle division will target categories including workwear, tool, car and bike maintenance goods, and garage equipment.

Plans will also encompass lifestyle categories such as apparel, accessories, gifting, construction toys and kits, and retail loyalty promotions.

Originated in the USA in 1853, with the Swan & Finch Oil Corporation, Motul has specialised in the formulation, production and worldwide distribution of high-tech engine lubricants, aimed at the end consumer. Motorsports has been Motul’s primary laboratory for creativity and innovation since it first stepped into racing in the 1950s, with the brand using racetracks and international motorsports events to develop, refine and test its products to the limits.

As a result, the company has been a technical partner and official supplier to some of the the finest teams and manufacturers in history. Motul is now present in over 160 countries, and recent event partnerships for the brand include the Dakar Rally, MotoGP, World WSBK, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, IMSA, Le Mans Classic and Goodwood Revival.

Victoria Whellans, group brands director at WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle, said: “With Motul’s rich heritage and reputation as one of motorsports’ most notable players, the brand has excellent licensing potential in a diverse range of categories. We’re already working closely with Motul to build a best-in-class consumer products offering, which will be closely aligned with the brand’s core values – premium, specialist, ingenious, brotherly, passionate and authentic.”

Romain Grabowski, head of brand at Motul, said: “It’s with great pride that we announce our collaboration with WildBrain CPLG, as we both share the same ambition and they were immediately an obvious choice to us. The WildBrain CPLG team has an extensive network and impressive experience within the licensing world and we’re confident they will carefully identify licensees that are matched with our primary focus on quality as well as with our unique spirit, which is a considered blend of authenticity, innovation, passion for racing and taste for adventure.

“The official Motul licensed products offering will soon be available across different markets and will give Motul fans, petrol-heads, drivers, riders, DIYers and mechanics the opportunity to enjoy a wider experience with the Motul brand.”

Motul joins WildBrain CPLG’s growing lifestyle portfolio, which also includes Absolut Vodka, Charlotte Posner, Karcher, Kikkoman, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Osprey London, Parental Advisory, Chupa Chups, Mentos, Smint, Yale University and Harvard University.

National Hot Rod Association propels into new categories through latest licensing partnerships

The National Hot Rod Association’s official licensing agency, JRL Group, has secured three new NHRA licensing partnerships that look to propel the growing consumer products and licensing programme into new categories and distribution channels.

The three new NHRA licensees crossing the line this season are JH Design with a new range of apparel and outerwear, Holland Bar Stool for home decor bar stools, tables, and neon wall clocks, and Authentic Street Signs with its stainless steel signs.

“We are very excited about these new licensing partnerships as we continue to leverage the NHRA’s rich heritage as well as its best-in-class reputation to deliver high quality products for loyal NHRA fans,” said Andy Lieb, president of JRL Group.

The NHRA is one of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning bodies. Since its inception in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association has been the preeminent force in the world of Drag Racing and Hot Rodding. The NHRA fields race teams with over 11,000 horsepower that reach extreme speeds of over 300mph in just under four seconds.

The 24 national NHRA race event schedule is from February to November and airs on Fox Sports and FS1.

The NHRA Licensing Program will continue to focus on lifestyle products such as apparel and accessories, home decor as well as items for the garage for the auto enthusiast such as automotive accessories, automotive tools, appearance and other automotive related products.

National Hot Rod Association propels into new categories through latest licensing partnerships

The National Hot Rod Association’s official licensing agency, JRL Group, has secured three new NHRA licensing partnerships that look to propel the growing consumer products and licensing programme into new categories and distribution channels.

The three new NHRA licensees crossing the line this season are JH Design with a new range of apparel and outerwear, Holland Bar Stool for home decor bar stools, tables, and neon wall clocks, and Authentic Street Signs with its stainless steel signs.

“We are very excited about these new licensing partnerships as we continue to leverage the NHRA’s rich heritage as well as its best-in-class reputation to deliver high quality products for loyal NHRA fans,” said Andy Lieb, president of JRL Group.

The NHRA is one of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning bodies. Since its inception in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association has been the preeminent force in the world of Drag Racing and Hot Rodding. The NHRA fields race teams with over 11,000 horsepower that reach extreme speeds of over 300mph in just under four seconds.

The 24 national NHRA race event schedule is from February to November and airs on Fox Sports and FS1.

The NHRA Licensing Program will continue to focus on lifestyle products such as apparel and accessories, home decor as well as items for the garage for the auto enthusiast such as automotive accessories, automotive tools, appearance and other automotive related products.

NASCAR teams with iRacing to launch new simulation racing exhibition amid strong growth for NASCAR licensing

NASCAR and iRacing have come together to form a new eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, a simulation racing exhibition that will feature some of the biggest names in the sport.

The new series will provide racing entertainment for sports fans across the leading motorsports racing simulation platform. A long-term licensee, iRacing is often used by NASCAR drivers to simulate track events as they prepare for their next race.

The move has been launched following the postponement of the planned NASCAR Cup Series as the world battles the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Interest in NASCAR has been growing not only in the US but globally, according to the organisation, who cites an ‘exceptionally strong 2019 holiday season for NASCAR-licensed products,’ with double digit growth in the fourth quarter.

According to NASCAR, year to date sales continue to register double digit growth both trackside and on NASCAR Shop.

Coinciding with the launch of the new iRacing Pro Invitational Series, NASCAR has worked with its portfolio of licensing partners to develop and deliver a range of eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational products.