Creative Allies, a Raleigh-based crowdsourcing design platform for major entertainment, sporting and marketing initiatives, is announcing an impressive new partnership with CafePress Inc., the recognized pioneer of customizable retail products, and leading online retailer driven by personalized content and products that are aspirational, inspirational and motivational. The agreement leverages Creative Allies’ community of skilled graphic designers as a creative engine for developing unique merchandise around CafePress’ licenses for notable Emmy-winning TV shows The Big Bang Theory, Orange Is The New Black, Gilmore Girls, X Games and Game of Thrones.

Through the partnership, Creative Allies will run contests in which designers compete for prizes. For each contest, a creative brief is posted, designers interested in participating develop and submit graphics, and then fans get to vote on the best designs. Those selected win a cash prize as well as an amazing portfolio piece in which their art is actually translated into merchandise to be sold through CafePress. Creative Allies’ more than 125,000 designers as well as anyone globally – whether professional designer, novice student or simply TV show fan – can participate.

Donald Thompson, Creative Allies’ president and CEO, commented: “Our goal is to offer creatives the best opportunities to build their portfolio, monetize their talents and be recognized for exceptional work. CafePress has a global marketing reach with hundreds of marquee licenses to excite both designers and fans. Our partnership is a great fit to inspire some pretty cool and truly artistic merchandise.”

For brands, these contests provide world-class designs at a cost-effective rate while generating immense fan engagement and merchandising opportunities. Creative Allies contests have resulted in thousands of one-of-a-kind designs, powering curated campaigns for music acts like Eminem, Dr. Dre and Selena Gomez, and brands like Rick and Morty, Ben & Jerry's and AriZona Tea. The organization has delivered over 1,000 contests to date, generating over one billion organic impressions. Its approach combines digital activation on creativeallies.com and Creative Allies social media properties, as well as fan engagement from its community of designers, brands and bands.

"CafePress focuses on bringing our customers’ passions to life by helping them express themselves and connect with others through unique designs and products," said Aaron Yelton, Director of Licensing for CafePress. “Partnering with Creative Allies allows us to tap into a passionate community that will help grow our catalogue of designs that are created for fans, by fans.”

The Big Bang Theory and Orange Is The New Black campaigns have already run and winners will be awarded prizes up to $1,000 and the resulting merchandise will be available for purchase at http://www.cafepress.com/+creative-allies+gifts. Upcoming, a contest for Game of Thrones is scheduled to release soon and is expected to be the largest design contest in Creative Allies seven-year history. Additionally, corresponding with the Netflix release of the new miniseries, a contest for Gilmore Girls is set to launch in November. Additional details will be announced at www.creativeallies.com/contests.