NJCAA Signs Licensing Agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is proud to announce that it has reached an agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates (SMA) to establish and manage its trademark licensing program beginning May 1, 2012. The partnership calls for SMA to deploy its brand development, protection and revenue generation services on behalf of the NJCAA.

“SMA is a leader in the industry of collegiate licensing,” said NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht. “We are excited about this new partnership and believe it will strengthen and protect the NJCAA brand in today’s market place. The NJCAA can now take comfort knowing that a group as experienced as SMA is working on its behalf to build brand awareness, protect property and increase revenue opportunities.”

With its affiliation with SMA, the NJCAA will now participate in a licensing program that oversees the use of its insignias on a variety of merchandise. In addition, SMA will work with the NJCAA to promote and protect the use of trademarks on merchandise carried by licensed vendors.

“We are delighted to represent the National Junior College Athletic Association,” said Bob Bernard, President and CEO of SMA. He continued, “Over time, we hope to add value to the Association and partnering member institutions. Two-year colleges are sometimes overlooked and we believe we can bring attention to this critical segment of collegiate sports.”

SMA currently manages licensing programs for several NJCAA member colleges including, Bronx Community College (N.Y.), Blinn College (Texas), Harford Community College (Md.), Hostos Community College (N.Y.), Kingsborough Community College (N.Y.), Lansing Community College (Mich.), Polk State College (Fla.), Queensborough Community College (N.Y.) and State College of Florida. SMA’s client list also includes the Big 10 Conference, the Big Sky Conference, the Southland Conference and many more.

Under the NJCAA – SMA partnership all member colleges in the NJCAA will have the opportunity to participate in a national licensing program, resulting in new revenue sources.