The British & Irish Lions has today announced a new licensing partnership with the world’s largest mouthguard manufacturer, OPRO.
The agreement is one of a number of new license deals secured by brand licensing specialist The Point.1888, who have partnered with the Lions to create a new range of products ahead of the eagerly awaited Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa against Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.
The partnership grants OPRO the rights to produce Lions-branded mouthguards available for purchase through its network of global retailers.
The relationship also sees all players selected in the Lions squad provided with OPRO’s, award winning, custom-fit mouthguards. OPRO are the official mouthguard partner of more than 85 teams and associations across the world, including England Rugby, Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and 11 Gallagher Premiership clubs.
“We are delighted to welcome OPRO to our family of licensees,” said Tom Halsey, British & Irish Lions Commercial Director.
“OPRO’s pioneering approach to mouthguard technology and player welfare sets it apart from any competitor. We look forward to another successful partnership with them.”
Daniel Lovat, Sports Marketing Director for OPRO, commented:
“It’s a huge privilege to once again be partnered with the Lions and we also thanks The Point. 1888 for their fantastic support.
“We’re excited to launch the range of Lions-branded mouthguards alongside our retail partners and also support the squad during the Tour, ensuring they’ve the very best protection for their teeth.”
OPRO is the latest in a list of recent Lions’ license deals secured by The Point.1888, which include:
- Reach Publishing: The experienced sports publisher will produce a Lions pre-Tour magazine, Tour guide and bookazine.
- Super Socks / Snugzy: The online retailer will produce a range of Lions-branded personalised socks and cushions aimed at all fans.
- Disrupt Sport: The innovation sports manufacturing company will create a portfolio of quality print on demand Lions products, including posters, stickers, puzzles, wallets, phone cases and bumbags.
“We are delighted to be working with these new partners to support what is set to be an incredible few months for the Lions in South Africa. With some very varied partners on board, we are thrilled to be appealing to so many fans across the entire family, as well as supporting the team whilst they play,” added Hannah Stevens, Head of Retail at The Point. 1888.
To register your interest in the Lions’ licencing programme, please contact hannah.stevens@thepoint1888.com
–ENDS–
For more information:
Tim Percival
British & Irish Lions
07810 510 060 tim@lionsrugby.com
About OPRO
Founded 20 years ago by dentist Dr Anthony Lovat, OPRO is the world’s most technically advanced mouthguard company and a leading pioneer in oral protection. Through the development and deployment of cutting-edge technology and the use of innovative design and production methods, OPRO has been at the forefront of protecting the safety of athletes at all levels, across a range of different sports, for more than two decades.
The family owned and run company is based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and all products are designed and manufactured in the UK, and available worldwide through a network of retailers and distributors.
All OPRO mouthguards are legally CE certified and in both 2007 and 2019 the company was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation in recognition of its ground-breaking work in the field of oral protection.
For more information, visit www.opromouthguards.com, follow OPRO on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and on instagram, or contact info@oprogroup.com.
About The Point.1888
The Point.1888 is the next generation of brand licensing. Matching brands with retailers and manufacturers to create powerful new products, The Point.1888 helps its clients boost revenue, brand awareness, consumer engagement and brand love.
It also donates 11% of its profits each year to charities that have an emotional connection to each collaboration.
Borne from Joseph Miller & Sons Ltd, The Point.1888 is a fifth-generation family company with 130 years’ experience in bringing products to market.
For brand extension opportunities please contact: helloyou@thepoint1888.com www.thepoint1888.com
The British & Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions are one of the most famous teams in the world of rugby. Every four years the Lions – selected from the national sides of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – head to the southern hemisphere to do battle with rugby heavyweights New Zealand, Australia or South Africa.