Rough Guide branches out with branded goods range
Rough Guide is extending into branded products, fashion and travel accessories for the first time. The range will be rolled out from October.
The travel brand has signed a deal with brand licensing company Copyrights Group to create a range of branded products including sports and leisure equipment, luggage, clothing and accessories. It is not clear if the products will receive any marketing support.
The deal follows the launch of a new travel guide product from the brand. Last month, Rough Guide announced it will offer full destination guides free as part of its downloadable Podscroll service. Last year it also teamed up with video games developer Ubisoft to produce a spoof Rough Guide for the Far Cry Instincts game (MW September 8, 2005).
Rough Guide was set up in 1982 by Bristol University graduate Mark Ellingham, who launched the company after travelling in Greece and failing to find a guide that catered for his needs.
The handbooks, which are distributed by Penguin, include information for travellers on a budget through to luxury tourists and cover more than 200 destinations worldwide.
As well as travel guides, Rough Guide publishes phrase books, history guides and books on other subjects including Shakespeare and the internet. It also issues “world music” CDs.
