Problem: A professional football organization expressed concern that an independent cheerleading group was representing itself on behalf of the organization, with potential marketing goods or services resembling those of the organization. Marksmen was brought in to investigate.

Results:

  • Marksmen used skillful investigatory tactics to make relevant discoveries and gather data.
  • Marksmen attended on-site Game Day activities to observe and collect photo evidence. 
  • The client was pleased with our dossier of evidence and the results of the investigation.

Problem 1

Identifying the Extent of the Potential Infringement

Marksmen’s client, a firm representing a professional football organization, contacted us with a concern about potential brand infringement. A local independent cheerleading group had been performing at the stadium on game days and in other instances, and had potentially represented themselves related to the football organization.

Marksmen quickly began its work by contacting the cheerleading group as a potential customer and asked questions about the appearances they made, and other details about their services. 

Through the initial investigation, Marksmen  discovered the cheerleading group was selling calendars, and was available for hire in "promotional bookings" and other performances. Marksmen began expanding the case by gathering additional evidence with our significant investigatory expertise.

Marksmen quickly contacted the cheerleading group disguised as a potential customer and started collecting information within an evidence file.

PROBLEM 2

Collecting Evidence at Game Day Activities and Beyond

Marksmen assigned a local agent to attend the pre-game festivities of the cheerleading group at the stadium. Though the main point of contact for the cheerleading group hadn't been forthcoming about details of the group's schedule prior to the game, we were still able to find the cheerleaders outside of the stadium and photograph their outfits, which had been a point of concern regarding potential brand infringement. 

It was discovered that the cheerleading outfits resembled the colors of the football organization, with the city name being presented on the outfits in white block text. The photos proved the organization mascot name was not found on the outfits, and when asked if they were associated with the organization those from the cheerleading group would not give a direct answer.  

Marksmen later uncovered more images and video of the cheerleading outfits on internet blogs and social media pages, and quotes from an organizer of the cheerleaders pertaining to the perceived relationship between the cheerleaders and the football organization.

Marksmen strategically attended Game Day festivities to gather evidence of the target, while also compiling additional online evidence.  

Problem 3

Additional Digital Discoveries and Presenting the Evidence File

In addition to the Game Day festivities and discovering of the online blog, Marksmen continued to dig, and found additional information which would be of value to our client.

We discovered more breadcrumbs first by a media outlet which captured the feelings of the local fan base towards the cheerleading team in a published article. The fan reviews were mixed. We also found SEO meta data on the cheerleading group's website which spelled out the name of the football organization. Finally, bios of the cheerleaders themselves were discovered inside social media accounts which potentially could link them misleadingly to the football organization. 

Marksmen presented our findings with a detailed dossier of information to our client. The client was pleased with the investigation and had everything they needed to proceed with next steps to protect the organization's brand.

Our client received full intelligence reports with evidence of potential brand infringements, successfully concluding our investigation.