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Canada’s Suntech Optics Strikes 3-Year Licensing Deal with Tour de France

release by Suntech Optics

May 21, 2009 (North Vancouver, BC) – As the number one most viewed annual sporting event in the world, the annual Le Tour de France cycling race is a popular and highly anticipated event every year. With a company and ownership background deeply rooted in the bicycling industry, Vancouver, Canada-based Suntech Optics has signed a three-year licensing deal with Amaury Sport Organization (referred to as ASO owner and organizer of Le Tour de France) as exclusive North American eyewear supplier for the Tour de France brand.

“I believe the best results come from great teamwork,” enthused Melanie Martin, owner and CEO,” and this is an incredibly exciting partnership.”

With the launch of their Tour de France logoed eyewear set for 2010, Suntech Optics will have the exclusive rights to sunglasses throughout North America via mass markets, sporting goods and bike specialty shops. Working with MODA International Marketing – the exclusive Licensing Agent for Le Tour de France in North America – Suntech Optics will design a collection of cycling inspired styles to showcase the Tour de France logo. These styles will come in different sized frames to fit a variety of Tour de France fans.

Martin continued, “With over two decades of designing eyewear for cyclists through our sister brand Ryders, we feel this partnership is a natural marriage of authentic design, product expertise and a strong brand name.”

With the increased exposure the Tour de France has received over the last decade garnering more live spectators (more than 14.5 million) than the Olympics and World Cup combined, Suntech Optics looks to provide consumers, fans and race supporters with high-quality, sunglasses that capture the greatness of this amazing race.

While considering the possibilities of this opportunity, President & COO James Murray acknowledged,”It’s exciting to be able to bring a product to market that inspires people and allows them to be part of this amazing world event – Le Tour de France.”

“Suntech Optics will give consumers the opportunity to purchase “Official” Le Tour de France eyewear during the key selling season, while the event is happening, and throughout the year,” notes Michelle Alfandari, president of MODA International Marketing. “With the popularity of cycling, Le Tour de France represents an active lifestyle brand conveying enormous credibility of form and function for sunglasses.”

Frédéric Viargues, Chef de Groupe Commercial et Licences Service Marketing Operationnel says, “I am very pleased with this new association and the quality product that Suntech Optics produces. I look forward to a successful, long-term relationship with Suntech Optics.

About Suntech Optics
Established in 1970 and located in North Vancouver, Canada, Suntech Optics is now the largest Canadian developer and marketer of ready to wear eyewear. With its sister company Bugaboos Eyewear, Suntech supplies North American retailers with quality eyewear solutions including name brand sunglasses such as Ryders, Infokus, Mac&Jac and Kensie, www.suntechoptics.com

About ASO
Amaury Sport Organisation belongs to the French press group, E.P.A (Philippe Amaury Publications), which owns the newspapers and magazine publications l’Equipe, France Football, l’Equipe Magazine, Vélo Magazine, Le Parisien and Aujourd’hui in France. The group has also developed an audio-visual branch, with the creation of l’Equipe TV, and new technologies with the web-sites www.lequipe.fr and www.leparisien.fr, to such an extent that it is today one of the key figures in the French media world.

A.S.O., created in September 1992, is specialised in the organisation of renowned sports events, such as the Tour de France, the Dakar and the Paris Marathon. Over the last few years, the company has expanded, A.S.O. having intensified its activities in the domain of cycling and taken up new disciplines, such as golf and equestrian sports.

Behind the range of internationally renowned and recognised events, Amaury Sport Organisation is focused on a precise goal: the design and management of spectacular top flight competitions respecting the sporting code of values and ethics, with long-term dedication.

About MODA International Marketing, Inc:
MODA International Marketing, est. 1988, is an international licensing agency that uses licensing to leverage existing assets such as trademarks, brands and patents to meet its clients’ marketing, business development and revenue goals. MODA offers its broad client base customized strategic planning, implementation and management of turnkey licensing programs.

For over 20 Years, MODA has distinguished itself by identifying and implementing opportunities, generating incremental revenue; strengthening and extending our clients brands and technologies throughout the global marketplace.

For more information about MODA International Marketing, Inc., please visit www.modaintl.com.





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