NEWS RELEASE




Tour de France Licensed XP Companies for

Promotional and Lifestyle Apparel and Accessories


New York, New York — January 17, 2007

Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the official organizer of the Le Tour de France has licensed XP Companies for adult, youth and kids non-technical lifestyle and promotional apparel, accessories and novelties for the Americas and the United Kingdom. MODA International Marketing, the licensing agency for Le Tour de France is responsible for putting the companies together.

“This is a very exciting deal in that XP will be able to take advantage of launching and selling its Le Tour de France product line on-site during the GRAND DEPART (the first stage of the Le Tour de France ) that is taking place in London! This is a unique and unprecedented chance to leverage global and national media attention from the Le Tour de France event to launch a year-round branded apparel and accessories business,” says Michelle Alfandari, president of MODA International Marketing.

She further states that, “For MODA, the Tour de France is a dynamic client attracting great interest from potential licensees. The ‘brand’ is so powerful that the actual event, in essence, has become for licensees an annual reaffirmation — and advertisement - of one of the most demanding sports, exciting spectator events (oftentimes referred to as the world’s largest tailgate party) as well as an active lifestyle brand.”

Le Tour de France is a unique active and leisure apparel brand for today’s consumer who balances their fierce independence and self-esteem with being a true team player. Products will be developed that reflect the French origins and global influences of the Tour de France as well as the identifiable colors and graphics unique to this brand and event.

All this resonated with XP Companies CEO, Tripp Wall who plans to launch product in June in the U.K. and on the XP Companies website for U.S. and S. American distribution. Tripp felt strongly that the Le Tour de France brand provided his company and customers with a product that offers a distinct point of difference from any other sport, event or active lifestyle brand. “This is truly a brand for today’s consumer to express their independence, their sophistication and their dedication to a healthy and active lifestyle in a way no other brand delivers. For our company it is complementary to our existing businesses and provides new opportunities for growth,” says Tripp Wall.

Jeremy Botton , Directeur Marketing Adjoint Image- Marques- Produits Derives, of ASO/Tour de France says, “We are very pleased to collaborate with XP during the London Stage of the Tour and on the development of a lifestyle and promotional apparel program. We are particularly pleased that XP Companies has a great track record of product development and sales and that they understand and are passionate about cycling and the Tour de France.”


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 XP Companies:

Founded in 1995, XP is a privately-held company headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

XP is a leading and rapidly-growing provider of authentic branded merchandise for major sports and entertainment events, including the Olympics, FIFA, Little League Baseball, MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises, and a manager of venue retail outlets.

A primary licensee of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (“USOC”) brands since 1999, XPA has also successfully expanded its reach beyond Olympic brands and today holds 17 non-NGB sports, entertainment and festival licensing agreements including Little League Baseball, the Tour de France and the FIFA World Cup.  XPA distributes its merchandise at events, online and through XP’s own US Olympic Shops, as well as leading retailers including Federated Department Stores, Target and Wal-Mart.


About MODA International Marketing, Inc.:

MODA International Marketing is a full service marketing and business development company that uses licensing to leverage existing assets such as trademarks, brands, patents, ingredients and technology on a global or national basis. Established in 1988 MODA offers its broad client base customized strategic planning, implementation and management of turnkey licensing businesses.

For 19 Years, MODA has distinguished itself by identifying dynamic opportunities to strengthen and extend client brands and technologies throughout the global marketplace. MODA is proud to have delivered untapped profits across diverse industries and distribution channels for the following major brands:


Audiovox®, Jensen®, Acoustic Research®, Advent®, Terk® (Audiovox Corporation)*; The New York Times®*; Craftmatic®(Elevation Bed LLC)*; Le Tour de France (ASO)*; Champion® Athleticwear (Hanesbrands Inc.)*; Champion Europe*; Coty, Inc.*; Trader Vic’s® (NUBECO Corporation)*; LYCRA®, COOLMAX® (Invista)*; Bollé®, Bushnell® and Tasco® (Bushnell Outdoor Products)*; Design in America™ and National Trust for Historic Preservation®*; Unipal Corrugated Pallets (Mondi-Anglo American plc)*; Ritz Hotel Limited — Ritz Paris; Better Homes and Gardens® (Meredith Corporation); Snap-on Tools®; Mack Trucks, Inc; Victoria and Albert Museum-London; and AskJeeves.

*Indicates current clients