
Oakley to extend partnership agreement with Ducati
Oakley has extended for an additional three years its existing licensing agreement with Ducati Motor Holding and has expanded the scope of the agreement to include five exclusive models of Oakley eyewear.
New for 2004, Ducati and Oakley will introduce custom versions of Oakley's Monster Dog and Zero sunglasses and will continue to offer last year's successful introductions of custom Juliet, Half-Jacket and Valve styles. In addition to sunglasses, Ducati and Oakley will also offer a Wisdom snow goggle for the 2004 fall season, an introduction inspired by Ducati's passion for speed and aerodynamics that carries to the mountains.
All products covered by the agreement feature a color scheme and graphic treatments consistent with Ducati products and bear laser engraved lenses with Ducati trademarks, among other unique features. The new Zero will feature an exclusive Ducati lens shape. The products will be distributed through Oakley's sunglass distribution points worldwide, including over 100 Oakley-owned retail locations, and will also be sold through exclusive Ducati Stores and dealerships in Ducati's distribution network.
'Given the tremendous success of last year's product offerings, we are excited to renew this relationship for three additional years with a company that shares our passion for design and performance products. Ducati's unbelievable performance record on the race track validates their position as a world leader in motorcycle design and manufacturing', commented Oakley Executive Vice President Tommy Rios.
The custom sunglasses created under the agreement are directly inspired by Ducati racing tradition, combining sleek design with technical performance.
'It is particularly exciting for us considering the fact that our top racers in the past have always chosen Oakley eyewear. With the evolution of this relationship we are now able to offer additional Ducati inspired performance eyewear pieces to our enhanced dealer distribution network', said David Gross, Creative Director of Ducati Motor.