Because I do not live in Memphis and have not read every thread on this topic, I hope the following letter does not appear as old news to some of you. But I found this letter to my fellow Memphis alum friend was very interesting and informative. Any comments?
*Note: I bold-typed certain sentences.
Here is my friend's letter:
-----Original Message-----
From: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 12:36 PM
To: Robert F Winn (bwinn)
Subject: Info for you
Hi Bob! I was shopping recently and noted that Kroger is carrying an extensive line of UofM items made by a company called "Wincraft". They are nicely done but many incorporate a lot of orange color in them! Isn't our policy pretty clear about the use of orange on our items? Also, a company called "Next" has apparel with quite a bit of orange as well. I'm not sure where I saw this line unless it might have been Kohl's. Unless we are now using orange as an auxiliary color instead of gray, I think our Sports Marketing folks need to contact these companies to set them straight. I really feel we should be using the royal blue and gray colors on all uniforms, items, etc., and leave the blue and white to Kentucky. Just a preference thing after the Alumni Association set the record straight on "official" school colors to use back in the 90's.
I know you have much more to worry about with the Ole Miss game nearly here but I thought you'd want to know about those companies. I hope you and Susan are doing well!
I'll be in Oxford! ROAR Tigers!
Xxxx
Bob Winn's response:
Xxxx,
Thank you for the update on merchandise. I am the individual who handles merchandise for the Athletic Department and I appreciate your reporting this to me.
We are under contract with Bill Battle's group, Collegiate Licensing Company, to oversee all of our official merchandise. When companies desire to produce merchandise for the University, they apply for a license through CLC, a copy of the artwork is sent to me for approval and all of the companies sales are reviewed so that athletics can receive a share of the royalties.
However, you must understand that not every company in America is willing to abide by the rules. If you see product that carries a same hologram on the product or on the tag with CLC's logo, then the product is officially approved by the athletic department and is licensed to sell.
I would imagine that there are as many bogus products floating around out there as there are approved items. When I receive an e-mail such as yours (or phone calls) I immediately forward them to our rep at CLC and he and the staff investigate. They actually have the right to go into stores and confiscate the product. If it is a major chain like Kroger's, or Kohl's or J.C. Penney's, they usually talk to the store buyer and ask that they no longer purchase counterfeit or unlicensed product. Sometimes the company agrees and sometime they do not. In most cases the company does not want to pay us the royalty or have CLC audit their sales.
Unfortunately, we can not be in every store, every day, to look for bad merchandise. We have to rely on you and others like you to report the problem.
Rest assured that as long as I approve product for the Tigers, I will never allow any use of orange except in the color of the Tiger in the logo. However, with the fashion styles and taste of young people today, I do approve Memphis merchandise produced in some colors other than royal blue and gray. Because of this expanded product line, the University of Memphis moved into the top 25 in the nation in apparel sales in 2007-08 and we hope to grow that ranking again this year.
Thanks again for the alert and spread the word to call if other things turn up.
Bob Winn
Associate AD/External
Moral of this story: Only buy licensed Memphis gear!!
You heard him GA. If you see orange on anything but the tiger, REPORT IT!
Nice response from Bob. I agree on the alternate clothing lines as it does help expand our market share, we just have to weed out those companies using the wrong colors as the official colors.
ex: Pink Memphis, Camo Memphis, etc... I'm cool with. I consider alternative styling than the regular color/logo
Orange in them like the stuff we've seen lately where it is meant as a primary color... NO!
if you want the crap to go away - just dont buy it. it may be cheaper for your wallet, but it does a hella lot of damage in the long run.
However, with younger, hip fashions, they are going to go against the brand standard . . . I know that makes some on this board mad! Looks like Memphis is all about the mighty $$$ when it comes to brand standards and new fashions!
if you want the crap to go away - just dont buy it. it may be cheaper for your wallet, but it does a hella lot of damage in the long run.
To expand on what Jeb's saying, if you buy unlicensed Tiger gear, then it's likely that the UofM is not seeing a dime off of it.
I've never been called a fashion expert or asked to walk down a runway to model anything, but the clothing at Tiger Gift Shop should fit everyone's taste.
I went there on my lunch hour today to replinish shirts for this year.
$70 for two polos and a T in the right color with no blobs, and no orange.
if you want the crap to go away - just dont buy it. it may be cheaper for your wallet, but it does a hella lot of damage in the long run.
Kind of like walmart...
Just spell Memphis correctly
Royal Blue? I thought the official shade was Reflex?
Royal Blue? I thought the official shade was Reflex?
GA in 3...2...1...
Bob Winn's response:
[quote]
Xxxx,
Thank you for the update on merchandise. I am the individual who handles merchandise for the Athletic Department and I appreciate your reporting this to me.
We are under contract with Bill Battle's group, Collegiate Licensing Company, to oversee all of our official merchandise. When companies desire to produce merchandise for the University, they apply for a license through CLC, a copy of the artwork is sent to me for approval and all of the companies sales are reviewed so that athletics can receive a share of the royalties.
However, you must understand that not every company in America is willing to abide by the rules. If you see product that carries a same hologram on the product or on the tag with CLC's logo, then the product is officially approved by the athletic department and is licensed to sell.
I would imagine that there are as many bogus products floating around out there as there are approved items. When I receive an e-mail such as yours (or phone calls) I immediately forward them to our rep at CLC and he and the staff investigate. They actually have the right to go into stores and confiscate the product. If it is a major chain like Kroger's, or Kohl's or J.C. Penney's, they usually talk to the store buyer and ask that they no longer purchase counterfeit or unlicensed product. Sometimes the company agrees and sometime they do not. In most cases the company does not want to pay us the royalty or have CLC audit their sales.
Unfortunately, we can not be in every store, every day, to look for bad merchandise. We have to rely on you and others like you to report the problem.
Rest assured that as long as I approve product for the Tigers, I will never allow any use of orange except in the color of the Tiger in the logo. However, with the fashion styles and taste of young people today, I do approve Memphis merchandise produced in some colors other than royal blue and gray. Because of this expanded product line, the University of Memphis moved into the top 25 in the nation in apparel sales in 2007-08 and we hope to grow that ranking again this year.
Thanks again for the alert and spread the word to call if other things turn up.
Bob Winn
Associate AD/External
The Boob has spoken.
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
Best thing to do is take a picture of the disgusting orange crap with a digital camera/phone. Then send it to Winn with the address and location of the product in question.
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
I don't know how many different shades of blue there are but there are 2 shades of orange burnt and sh*t (UT)
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
I don't know how many different shades of blue there are but there are 2 shades of orange burnt and sh*t (UT)
I'm not sure the athletic department is fully bound by the brand standards. The following is from the brand standards FAQ:
: I heard the "Leaping Tiger" symbol has been changed. Is this true?
A: The "Leaping Tiger" element remains the same, though "Tiger blue" is now officially PMS 280 to conform to the University's brand standards. Its use is governed by the Athletic Department.
So if Bob Winn says orange Tigers are okay in the logo, then it is okay. Apparently he is running that show.
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
Gotta love GA's commitment to the cause. Keep it up, GA!!
By the way, I was not able to attend fanfest but I noticed in the pics that we have replaced some the white trim on our home jerseys with gray. The gray collar really stands out and looks nice.
What do you think??
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
I don't know how many different shades of blue there are but there are 2 shades of orange burnt and sh*t (UT)
According to the 2003-2004 Pantone formula guide I have in front of me, PMS 280 = 94.1% Reflex Blue + 5.9% Black
$70 for two polos and a T in the right color with no blobs, and no orange.
a T?
did i miss something?
Very disturbing! The man who is responsible for approving the products:
(1) Does not know that there should never be any "orange" on ANYTHING. According to UofM's "CLC sheet" The tiger is supposed to be "Memphis Gold".
(2) Does not know that the
Brand Standard and our "CLC sheet" call for PMS 280 Blue (sometimes called "sapphire blue" and very close in shade to "reflex blue"), which is nowhere close to royal blue
On the bright side, it sounds like he welcomes reports of violations and if we want things to improve on this important issue we should all start informing him of what we see out there.
I don't know how many different shades of blue there are but there are 2 shades of orange burnt and sh*t (UT)
According to the 2003-2004 Pantone formula guide I have in front of me, PMS 280 = 94.1% Reflex Blue + 5.9% Black
Black? 
:lmfao::lmfao:
I'm not sure the athletic department is fully bound by the brand standards.
The Brand Standard was intended for the entire university. The remaining problems are due to insufficient communication and enforcement.
So if Bob Winn says orange Tigers are okay in the logo, then it is okay. Apparently he is running that show.
Indeed, as Associate Athletic Director in charge of external affairs, he is, as he states, directly responsible for reviewing designs for compliance with the "CLC sheet" (an expansion of the Brand Standard which was given to Collegiate Licensing Company - shows the logo and such). "Orange" must have been a slip of the tongue, because the CLC sheet prescribes "Memphis Gold" for the tiger. Similarly, Bob carelessly used the expression "royal blue" whereas the CLC sheet only permits "Memphis Blue" (PMS 280).
You know, Bob Winn is probably a very busy man. I wonder if he would consider delegating his CLC review task?
Maybe a committee of Gray Avenger and BOSSMAN?
You know, Bob Winn is probably a very busy man. I wonder if he would consider delegating his CLC review task?
Maybe a committee of Gray Avenger and BOSSMAN?
I second that nomination!!
You know, Bob Winn is probably a very busy man. I wonder if he would consider delegating his CLC review task?
Maybe a committee of Gray Avenger and BOSSMAN?
I second that nomination!!
Thankyou for the honor, but I fear BOSSMAN and I are incompatible. My goals are to:
(1) Protect UofM's oldest tradition: Blue & Gray
(2) Stop the endless changing of colors, logos and other symbols from coach to coach, year to year, etc.
(3) Project an image of class and tradition appealing to BCS conferences, recruits and potential supporters
(4) Get Tiger Nation on the same wavelength
In my opinion, BOSSMAN's goal is to make money, with little regard to any of the above.
You know, Bob Winn is probably a very busy man. I wonder if he would consider delegating his CLC review task?
Maybe a committee of Gray Avenger and BOSSMAN?
I second that nomination!!
Thankyou for the honor, but I fear BOSSMAN and I are incompatible. My goals are to:
(1) Protect UofM's oldest tradition: Blue & Gray
(2) Stop the endless changing of colors, logos and other symbols from coach to coach, year to year, etc.
(3) Project an image of class and tradition appealing to BCS conferences, recruits and potential supporters
(4) Get Tiger Nation on the same wavelength
In my opinion, BOSSMAN's goal is to make money, with little regard to any of the above.
That's exactly why you both should take this job. You're conservative and staunch standards vs. BOSSMAN's creative and outside-the-box approach could produce some interesting results....that is, if one of you doesn't kill the other first!!
What's ironic about this thread is Bob's admission of being repsonsible for apparel. Four or five years ago you couldn't find anything decent.
What took so long?
What's ironic about this thread is Bob's admission of being repsonsible for apparel. Four or five years ago you couldn't find anything decent.
What took so long?
4 or 5 years ago the brand standard and CLC sheet weren't in place. There are still lots of problems, but big improvements are around the corner.
If he thinks it was the expanded product line that moved sales into the top 25 in the nation then he is nuts. I think it had more to do with our basketball team being #1 in the nation.
For Clarification. Champion Awards was in the top 25 (#21). The University of Memphis is #49 in the nation in sales for CLC. Its was an amazing year for all Tiger Fans and Supporters.
I'm not sure the athletic department is fully bound by the brand standards.
The Brand Standard was intended for the entire university. The remaining problems are due to insufficient communication and enforcement.
So if Bob Winn says orange Tigers are okay in the logo, then it is okay. Apparently he is running that show.
Indeed, as Associate Athletic Director in charge of external affairs, he is, as he states, directly responsible for reviewing designs for compliance with the "CLC sheet" (an expansion of the Brand Standard which was given to Collegiate Licensing Company - shows the logo and such). "Orange" must have been a slip of the tongue, because the CLC sheet prescribes "Memphis Gold" for the tiger. Similarly, Bob carelessly used the expression "royal blue" whereas the CLC sheet only permits "Memphis Blue" (PMS 280).
I'm probably the last person anyone would ever expect to defend Bob Winn, but in my opinion he probably didn't expect that his response email was going to be 1. posted on a message board and 2. since it was didn't want to go into complete details on everything and just wrote it in a way he felt the person would understand best.
I agree, Conway.
Bob is a close friend of this person who is ardent Tiger fan, as you can tell from his letter. My friend gave me permission to print his and Bob's letter on this board. In fact, he's been reading all your comments and enjoying them since I sent him a link to this thread.
I agree, Conway.
Bob is a close friend of this person who is ardent Tiger fan, as you can tell from his letter. My friend gave me permission to print his and Bob's letter on this board. In fact, he's been reading all your comments and enjoying them since I sent him a link to this thread.
I hope the friend continues to keep the words flowing and the CLC does it's job. It was not too long ago that the CLC had Memphis colors being officially called BLUE AND WHITE. That got changed by reference to official documentation showing same to CLC. Their response .... "Oh, sorry 'bout that". It was changed to GrEy. 
At least it isnt' white any more. 
I wonder why these "connections" were not reading the memphistigers.org before?????