Ducati appoints IMG as its global licensing representative

Italian sportsbike manufacturer Ducati has appointed IMG as its exclusive global licensing representative. The deal, effective for 4 years, will see IMG work across all Ducati-licensed products including clothing, accessories, toys, perfume and the Ducati Caffè. IMG will be tasked with optimising the management of that programme and to take it to the next level.

“The Ducati brand's licensing activities have long been successful,” said Diego Sgorbati, director of Motorcycle Related Products at Ducati Motor Holding. “Now however, the time has come to make use of specialised skills to increase our efforts and create a global footprint, which we think IMG is well qualified to provide. That's why, after looking at the alternatives, we realised that only IMG offered a standard of service in line with our own standards and objectives.”

Bruno Maglione, IMG executive vice-president and president of IMG’s worldwide licensing division, added: “Ducati is one of those best-in-class brands that builds and inspires emotions. It is in very rare company among the premier brands of Italian performance and style. Those are values are appealing all over the world and can translate powerfully to other products consistent with a Ducati-inspired lifestyle.”

The Ducati brand licensing activities will be supported by an IMG team based in Milan, which will work closely with both management at the Ducati Motor Holding headquarter and with IMG’s global licensing team.

Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Today, its motorcycles are characterised by performance engines with Desmodromic valve actuation, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles is divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter, and Superbike.

Ducati sells its bikes and merchandise in 90 countries around the world, with focus on the European, North American and Asia-Pacific markets. In addition to the Bologna factory, the bikemaker has a plant in Thailand, which opened in 2011 and assembles motorcycles for the Asian market, and, since 2012, another in Brazil that assembles motorcycles for South America. In 2014 Ducati delivered a record 45,100 motorcycles to customers. More recently, it has re-entered the Indian market and also opened its biggest global showroom in New Delhi.