Entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency WildBrain CPLG has further expanded its Lifestyle portfolio with the signing of global representation rights for Swiss company Sauber Motorsport AG.
Under the deal, WildBrain CPLG will handle all Sauber brands, including Sauber Motorsports – which owns and operates the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN – as well as Sauber Technologies and Sauber Esports. The initial focus will be on the UK, EMEA, China, India and North America markets.
WildBrain CPLG will assemble a strategic cross-category merchandise range for Sauber’s Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN brand across multiple categories, including apparel, accessories, footwear, gifting, automotive accessories, toys and collectibles, and official team products to further engage Formula One fans of all ages.
For Sauber Technologies and Sauber Esports, WildBrain CPLG aims to utilise the expertise of the Sauber Engineering and Technology teams, which includes 3D printing, aerodynamics and Formula One technology, and leverage the precision, efficiency, innovation and performance attributes of these properties to extend them into everyday categories. WildBrain CPLG will initially focus on household and lifestyle products for Sauber Technologies, while for Sauber Esports, target categories will include fashion apparel, toys, collectibles and gaming accessories as well as digital products and partnerships.
“As we continue strengthening our lifestyle roster, it’s fantastic to welcome a brand of Sauber’s calibre to our line-up,” says Victoria Whellans, Group Brands Director at WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle. “Sauber’s portfolio brings many fantastic opportunities, whether that’s connecting fans to the Alfa Romeo Formula One team, tapping into the rapidly growing world of Esports licensing with Sauber Esports, or capturing the company’s extensive experience in engineering through the Sauber Technologies brand. We look forward to working closely with Sauber to develop a carefully curated product range with best-in-class partners to drive long-term brand engagement and growth on a global scale.”
Yan Lefort, Commercial Director at Sauber Group, adds: “This deal with WildBrain CPLG is a huge step for Sauber as it allows us to further develop our licensing strategy and operations across all Sauber brands. It’s a multi-year and 360 degree package, including licensing services, a programme strategy development and business management deal, which will help grow our brand. WildBrain CPLG will support us with finding the right partners, those who align with our core values, and help us access their global network to drive revenue and boost our brand’s stature.”
Sauber was founded in 1970, making its Formula One debut in 1993. Over the past few decades of activity in the motorsport industry, Sauber has developed skills and expertise in the construction and deployment of Formula One vehicles – Sauber Motorsport’s core business – which is applied in each of the Sauber Group’s third-party services. These services are provided by Sauber Aerodynamics, which offers full- and model-scale testing, CFD and vehicle development, including access to the state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility, and Sauber Technology, which focuses on additive manufacturing services including 3D metal printing, laser sintering and stereolithography.
The 2022 Formula One championship season will see Zhou Guanyu make history as the first Chinese driver to race full-time in Formula One as he joins Sauber’s Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN alongside ex-Mercedes Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas.
Sauber Motorsport is the latest addition to WildBrain CPLG’s varied portfolio of Lifestyle and Corporate brands, which also features Kärcher, Motul, Kikkoman, Absolut Vodka, Malibu Rum, Chupa Chups, Yale and Harvard universities, and the University of Southern California.
