July 17, 2005
BOSTON, July 18, 2005 – For the fourth 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.
The 2005 New Balance Lace Up for the Cure footwear collection includes 12 models of women's athletic shoes from the running, walking and 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 16-year relationship with the Komen Foundation. Highlights from the 2005 footwear collection include the W801KP an easy-on, easy-off trail styled recovery shoe, and the WW758WL a stable, cushioned shoe designed for the frequent fitness walker. Both the 801 and the 758 debut in July 2005.
For 2005, the Lace Up for the Cure collection will also include select performance apparel and accessories. The apparel component features 15 pieces, including tank tops, fitness shorts, performance tees, a polo shirt, a sweatshirt hoodie, and workout pants. 2005 Lace Up for the Cure accessories include workout bags, performance socks, visors, and hats. Similar to the footwear, each piece in the collection is distinguished by an embroidered pink ribbon.
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 $150,000. This retail promotion runs from May through November 2005, with a special focus during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"We are excited to continue 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 we can reach a large number of consumers and contribute significantly to breast cancer education and research."
The program will 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, 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 2004 reported worldwide sales of $1.5 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
