FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SKECHERS Announces Endorsement Deal with
Former NYC Marathon Winner and Olympic Medalist Meb Keflezighi
SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), a global leader in the footwear industry and
the number two athletic footwear brand in the United States*, today
announced that it has signed an agreement with distance runner Meb
Keflezighi to endorse SKECHERS Fitness performance footwear and apparel in
a worldwide multiple-medium marketing campaign.
Keflezighi will be running in the World Marathon Majors (including the 2011
ING New York City Marathon), road races, and Olympic Trials through August
2012 exclusively in SKECHERS Fitness performance footwear featuring the
Company's innovative SmartShoeTM mid-foot strike technology for serious
athletes and active enthusiasts. Keflezighi will also be consulting on the
development of performance product and SKECHERS expects to coordinate the
launches of exciting new competition-ready running lines with his
professional racing appearances.
"SKECHERS' new performance shoes change the way I run for the better," said
Keflezighi. "I've been a heel strike runner my entire life, but I am now
wearing SKECHERS to maximize the efficiency of my foot strike. My shoes are
my most essential piece of equipment and right now SKECHERS has the
footwear I need to succeed. I'm excited to be partnering with this
groundbreaking company."
"Meb is a rock star in the running world and the fact that he trusts our
revolutionary running product to carry him across the finish line is a huge
win for our position in the performance arena," added SKECHERS president
Michael Greenberg. "As an Olympian and professional athlete, Meb brings
real gravitas to SKECHERS performance footwear that will inspire runners
around the world to experience our mid-foot strike technologies for
themselves."
Meb Keflezighi gained international attention when he beat the odds to win
a silver medal in the marathon after a dramatic race at the 2004 Summer
Olympics in Athens. Seventy days later, he placed second in the prestigious
2004 ING New York City Marathon. Despite a potentially career-ending injury
during the 2008 Olympic Trials, Meb surprised the track and field world
again by winning the 2009 ING New York City Marathon—the first American to
do so in 27 years. Currently the most decorated United States distance
runner, Meb is the former American record holder in the 10,000 meters, a
20-time national champion, and the greatest distance runner in UCLA
history.
In 2010, Meb released his inspiring autobiography, "Run To Overcome"
(Tyndale House Publishers). He's also the founder of the MEB Foundation—an
organization that promotes "Maintaining Excellent Balance" through healthy
action and positive lifestyle choices to school-aged children.
SKECHERS Fitness' campaign with Meb Keflezighi is planned for a Holiday
2011 launch, and will include print, television, outdoor, in-store and
online marketing as well as event appearances for SKECHERS fitness footwear
and apparel.
The SKECHERS Fitness GroupTM offers athletic footwear that features numerous
cutting-edge patented technologies for running, training and walking. With
a wide range of styles released under Resistance, Shape-ups® and Tone-ups®
lines, SKECHERS Fitness products meet the needs of everyone from the casual
enthusiast to the serious athlete. Currently in development, the new
performance running and training footwear will debut for Holiday 2011.
Men's and Women's SKECHERS Fitness lines are available in sporting goods,
department and specialty athletic stores around the world.
ABOUT SKECHERS USA, Inc.
SKECHERS USA, Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs, develops
and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under
the SKECHERS name, as well as under several uniquely branded names.
SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via department and
specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores and its e-commerce
website, and over 100 countries and territories through the Company's
global network of distributors and subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, Chile,
and across Europe, as well as through joint ventures in Asia. For more
information, please visit www.skechers.com.
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