Stylish New Look For Team New Zealand

Media Release:

STYLISH NEW LOOK FOR TEAM NEW ZEALAND

A stylish new look that incorporates a revitalised logo has been created for Team New Zealand. The sailing team's new black and silver colour combination, and the streamlined silver fern emblem; are featured in an all new range of Line 7 merchandise that is providing valuable funding for the team as it prepares for the next America's Cup.

The new look was on display at a function today to announce a renewal of the successful exclusive supply agreement between Team New Zealand and Line 7. Team New Zealand Chief Executive Ross Blackman said the agreement for global merchandising rights will inject many millions of dollars in royalties into the 2003 defence budget.

"Ross Munro and his Line 7 brand are an integral part of the funding of Team New Zealand," said Blackman. "People who buy Line 7 apparel are contributing directly to our team. The ongoing success of the Line 7 merchandising programme – particularly through the increasingly important e-commerce side – provides a significant part of our funding."

"As well as these sales successes helping to fund the team, our close relationship with Line 7 has another practical benefit. Line 7 provide our team with the highest quality sailing gear that has performed well in tough America's Cup racing in both San Diego and Auckland."

As well as the Team New Zealand brand, Line 7 has renewed it exclusive agreements covering the event – which this time around is the America's Cup 2003 brand – and the America's Cup brand that incorporates trade marked images of the cup itself.

The new range of Line 7 merchandise includes items that replicate the sailing apparel of the Team New Zealand yachtsmen. Ross Munro, the Managing Director of Line 7, says the success of these team sponsor branded items has increased the recognition for the company's men's and women's sportswear; and its range of America's Cup licensed merchandise products.

" Largely through our involvement in the last America's Cup in Auckland, Line 7 has opened new markets in Italy, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Belgium," said Ross Munro. "The America's Cup has found new fervour in Europe."

"In Italy the reception for the Team New Zealand and America's Cup brands has been the strongest. Line 7 now has more than 70 stockists in the Italian market and this could not have been achieved without the prestige of being associated with Team New Zealand," said Ross Munro.

He added that this recent success had opened new merchandising opportunities for both Team New Zealand and the America's Cup brands and predicted a number of announcements about these in the middle of this year.

The "evolution" version of the Team New Zealand logo, which is proudly displayed on the latest range of Line 7 team gear, is the inspiration of Auckland graphic designer Paul Dashwood. He said the logo is intended to reflect the ongoing success of Team New Zealand.

"I have retained the key elements of the America's Cup and the fern but introduced the silver colour to create an impression of speed. Since the original logo was created in the mid- nineties, Team New Zealand has achieved a lot of success. Therefore I wanted to create a fresh logo that portraits a team on the move," said Dashwood.

15th March 2001

For further information please contact:

Murray Taylor
Media & Communications
Team New Zealand

Telephone: (09) 303 2000

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