re: Has LSU "unofficially" retired Toonces?

Please email athletics@lsu.edu regarding your concerns about the LSU logo.

It boggles my mind too about LSU's thought process regarding logos and additions and improvements. They are simply out of touch with reality.

I met with a person from the marketing dept last year and honestly they think toonces is the best thing ever because it has sold the most merchandise. A strong campaign has been launched since then so hopefully they got the word a few fans are upset.

The more people let them know the better.

I received the following response after e-mailing the LSU Trademark Licensing my opinion on Toonces:

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LSU truly appreciates your comments about the brand identity that was released in July, 2002. Over the last eight years, LSU has received both positive and negative comments concerning the new logos. Overall, the University is very pleased with its visual identity, as it has served to effectively promote and expand LSUs brand throughout the national landscape over the last 8 years.



I have attached the current LSU art sheet so you can reference the current brand identity of the University. Through the brand identity process, LSU created a family of logos, whereby the primary mark can be broken up into individual elements/marks. Due to this fact, some fans have gravitated towards the new LSU wordmarks, while others really like other the new Tiger head that was created. There are now over a dozen marks to choose from that are used to represent LSU, and many of these marks contain elements that resemble the other. This is an outstanding feature that makes these marks unique, and adds to the long term value of the marks.



LSU has also seen a significant response from the fans with regard to LSUs brand identity relative to the products' success in the retail marketplace. In FY 2009-2010, LSU generated nearly $5 million in gross royalties from the sale of officially licensed LSU products. This figure represents a 481% increase when compared to FY 2001-2002. In the 8 years since the brand identity was released in July, 2002, LSU has generated $26.8 million in gross royalties. To put that in perspective, LSU generated $7.2 in gross royalties from the years 1981-2002.



In an effort to provide fans with a broader selection of LSU products, the University participates in the College Vault program (www.collegevault.com), a collection of vintage products which enables select licensees to use the classic and historical LSU logos that are shown on the attached College Vault art sheet. The College Vault contains the images and logos exhumed from the collegiate archives which have now contributed to the creation of unique vintage-inspired clothing and accessories. The brand assures consumers that such items are officially approved and authenticated by colleges, universities, football bowl games, the NCAA, and other collegiate institutions. I recommend you visit local retailers such as the LSU Bookstore, the LSU SportShop, and many other retailers listed on www.LSU.com to find products that are currently available within the LSU College Vault program.



Thank you once again for your continued support of LSU. LSU appreciates your passion as a Tiger fan. Have a great day.

LSU Trademark Licensing
330 Thomas Boyd Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

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