Tag: Authenticity

Icons CEO Instrumental In Bringing Fraudsters To Justice

March 6, 2018
Miscellaneous

Icons Shop Limited CEO, Dan Jamieson, and former head of A1 Sporting Memorabilia, Terry Baker, played key roles in the jailing of David Rennie from FA Premier Signings for the sale of faked signatures.

As one of three expert witnesses during the trial, Dan brought forth his expertise in the signatures of many of sport’s biggest stars and his vast experience in the memorabilia industry. He described the lengths Icons goes to in order to acquire authentic signed memorabilia from the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Diego Maradona and many others.

Dan also detailed the various ways Icons provides its customers with proof of the authenticity of a signed product. He explained that Icons strives to offer all available proof of an item being signed using photos and video, as well as key details such as when and where our signing sessions take place.

In doing so, he helped prove that the people behind FA Premier Signings were faking signatures and misleading the thousands of sports fans who had bought items from their website.

Also key in bringing Rennie to justice was Terry Baker, the man from whom Icons Shop Limited acquired its sister brand, A1 Sporting Memorabilia, in 2015. Baker has worked closely with the Icons team for a number of years.

Icons Shop Limited remains staunchly committed to the protection of the sports memorabilia industry from the litany of fakes and frauds that threaten to ruin the reputations of genuine memorabilia dealers.

We continue to work with trading standards agencies and other memorabilia outlets in the fight against such fraudsters. We strongly advise our customers – and any sports fans wishing to buy genuine signed sports memorabilia – to be diligent in their assessment of memorabilia sold online.

 

For more information on how to avoid fakes and frauds, please see our previous blog post “How To Buy A Genuine Lionel Messi Signed Shirt”.


From Our CEO: Authenticity Is Everything

February 28, 2018
From Our CEO

The dictionary definition of authenticity is “not false or copied; genuine, real” and I spend every minute of every day worrying about it.

Why? Because I run the world’s leading signed football memorabilia company, Icons Shop Limited, and we constantly need to reassure our customers that our items are genuine. If Icons sold one fake signature we would pretty much go bankrupt overnight with our reputation in tatters. Living on that knife-edge does focus the mind somewhat.

At Icons, we go to extraordinary lengths to provide evidence of our authenticity. We have long-standing relationships with some of the greats of world football, including contracts with Leo Messi and Diego Maradona. We are the official memorabilia licensee of the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. We provide a Certificate of Authenticity with all our products, along with photographic proof, holograms and videos of private signing sessions with the top stars.

Yet every day we’re asked if our products are really signed by the players. It seems all the facts on our website are often not enough. People regularly call and email us to express their concerns – they want to be reassured that they can trust us and from our side it becomes about engaging with them on an emotional level.

One of the things today’s digital marketers do is create ongoing dialogue between brands and their audiences. Traditional advertising shouts a consistent message with a megaphone while a smart brand strikes up a two-way conversation. Consumers want to know more about the products, causes and companies to which they choose to give their money. They’re looking for an emotional connection and digital marketing can bring this to life.

It’s also made me think about authenticity on a personal level. My wife is the communications director of a social enterprise called Leaders’ Quest, which works with leaders from all walks of life who want to use their unique influence to create positive change in the world. They talk to their communities about the importance of authenticity and how real leadership shines through when someone is genuine and true to themselves.

Most people are quick to spot self-interest and false charm – you only have to look to Lance Armstrong on how not to do it. The most successful leaders I know are genuine, honest and great at empathy.

Authenticity isn’t about being good and worthy, it’s about being who you are, warts and all. Personal authenticity is only achieved when people are honest with themselves. Brené Brown, in her TED Talk The Power of Vulnerability, describes how showing vulnerability allows people to connect with others on a human level. As brands develop their willingness to have open conversations, they will find ways to connect more deeply with their audience.

 

This blog was first published by Zone Digital on their Digital Distractions email newsletter in 2014.