Shopping for your favorite Knox County Schools’ merchandise is just a few clicks away.

Knox County Schools recently unveiled an online store as part of its efforts with Strategic Marketing Affiliates, a national licensing agency, to license and trademark all its school logos. This collective effort allows schools to benefit from merchandise sales that occur at various retailers and through its online store.

Scott Bacon, Knox County Schools Partners in Education Supervisor, is coordinating with each school as part of the rollout.

“This helps us further enhance education through sports and activities,” said Bacon. “Not only are we working to implement all of our current schools, but we are also going to have past schools’ merchandise online for alumni.”

Last year, the Knox County Board of Education voted to trademark and license apparel and other merchandise that displays school logos. As a result, the Knox County Schools receives a portion of the royalties generated from the merchandise sales that occur at various retail stores. School Support Organizations (such as PTAs and booster clubs) are exempt from paying licensing fees and are welcome to collaborate specials with the online store.

Licensing school merchandise allows schools to receive royalties from local retailers, such as Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and various sporting goods stores. Only manufacturers licensed by Strategic Marketing Affiliates will be able to sell items with school trademarks.

The Knox County Schools receives a royalty on each item sold by the retailer. When buying high school team merchandise, look for the Knox County Schools seal in the store to confirm the product is an officially licenced Knox County Schools item.

The first royalty check for $940 was issued to Knox County Schools for the volume of merchandise sold during the fourth quarter of 2011.

Most Knox County Schools’ high school merchandise is currently online. Additional schools and alumni apparel will launch soon. Standard shipping rates apply. The Knox County Schools’ online merchandise store is available at  www.knoxschools.org.

———–
news@theknoxvillejournal.com