May 10, 2004
BOSTON, May 10, 2004 – For the third consecutive year, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. will demonstrate its commitment to breast cancer awareness with the New Balance Lace Up for the Cure collection to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year's extensive collection involves not only footwear, but also New Balance performance apparel and accessories.
The 2004 New Balance Lace Up for the Cure footwear collection includes 12 models of women's athletic shoes from the running, walking and cross-training categories. Each shoe features an embroidered pink ribbon – the universal symbol of breast cancer awareness – on the tongue. The collection is also distinguished by pink ribbon tissue paper in each shoebox and a hang-tag that explains the symbol's significance and the company's 15-year relationship with the Komen Foundation. Highlights from the footwear collection include the W801BP an easy-on, easy-off trail styled recovery shoe, and the WW757WB a stable, cushioned shoe designed for the frequent fitness walker. The 801 debuts in September 2004, while the 757 launches in July 2004.
New for 2004, the Lace Up for the Cure collection will also include select performance apparel and accessories. The apparel component features 11 pieces, including a tank top, fitness shorts, performance tees, a fleece jacket, workout pants, etc. 2004 Lace Up for the Cure accessories include a workout bag, performance socks, visor, and baseball hat. Similar to the shoes, each piece in the collection is distinguished by an embroidered pink ribbon.
Also new for 2004, for every $25 minimum purchase of any pink ribbon merchandise (footwear, apparel, or accessories) the consumer will receive a donation form to send in to New Balance as proof of purchase. For each form received, New Balance will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation up to $125,000. This retail promotion will run from July through November 2004, with a special focus during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"We are excited to expand our commitment to promoting increased awareness of breast cancer through integrated programs like Lace Up for the Cure," says Katie O'Brien, marketing promotions associate at New Balance. "We believe with our more extensive program this year, we can reach a greater number of consumers and contribute more significantly to breast cancer education and research."
The program will again be supported through point of purchase materials at retail locations, visibility at the 112 nation-wide Race for the Cure® events, as well as on the company's corporate website.
New Balance has been associated with the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure® series since 1989, and has been a National Series sponsor since 1991. As a National Series sponsor, New Balance partners with retailers and each individual race organizations across the country to promote awareness at the local level. In addition, the company sponsors Honorary Team New Balance, a group of breast cancer survivors selected from each race. In September, the company hangs a giant pink ribbon at their global headquarters in Boston, Mass., to highlight that month's Boston Race for the Cure.
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure, and kids. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,600 people around the globe, and in 2003 reported worldwide sales of $1.3 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
