If you’re shopping for Ragin’ Cajuns® merchandise, be sure to look for a tag with a hologram that should be attached.
That tag is your assurance that a product has been made by a manufacturer who has permission to make items that carry the University’s name and logos.
“The University’s name and logos are protected through trademarks and federal registrations. So manufacturers must obtain a license to make UL Lafayette products,” said Matt Tarver, UL Lafayette’s branding manager.
The University requires licensed manufacturers to place an Officially Licensed Collegiate Product hologram label on UL Lafayette products. Holograms, which are 3-D images, are intended to make it more difficult to sell unauthorized or “bootleg” products.
“If an item is missing an OLCP tag, we recommend checking other merchandise in that store. If other items have OLCP hologram tags, the store probably only sells licensed merchandise,” Tarver said.
“Apparel sales are the bulk of our licensing program. Manufacturers electronically submit requests to use our name and logos. I review literally thousands of proposed uses of our name and logos. Last year, I evaluated almost 3,000 proposed designs,” Tarver said.
UL Lafayette earns a small percentage of the cost of licensed merchandise. That revenue is reinvested in its licensing program.
In the branding arena, the University’s logos are in their infancy. Tarver said it’s imperative to protect them.
“The key to any successful branding initiative is consistency. Consistency builds awareness and repetition reinforces recognition,” he said. So, the University rarely approves any alteration of its marks.
The University’s licensing program was nominated this year for an award that recognizes the top collegiate program in the United States. Past winners of the International Collegiate Licensing Association’s Synergy Award have included the University of Texas, LSU and Auburn University.