Olympian Franklin to serve as year-round brand ambassador for
SPEEDO USA to inspire people towards water fitness
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 18, 2015--
SPEEDO USA, a division of PVH Corp. (NYSE:PVH), today announced
that five-time Olympic medalist, holder of two individual world records
and competitive swimming superstar Missy Franklin has joined Team Speedo,
marking her first endorsement since becoming a professional swimmer in
March 2015. As part of Team Speedo, Franklin will serve as a
year-round brand ambassador, sharing her love of the water to inspire
others, and will wear Speedo race suits when she represents the
US at all major competitions globally.
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Missy Franklin, Team Speedo (Photo: Business Wire)
With its partnership with Franklin, Speedo continues to
strengthen its leadership in competitive swimming – more Olympic Gold
medals have been won by swimmers in Speedo suits than any other
brand – as well as has an ambassador who can amplify its programming and
messaging around water fitness and activities.
“Speedo is thrilled to have Missy Franklin join Team Speedo,"
said Jim Gerson, President of SPEEDO USA. “We are fortunate to
have one of the world’s best competitive swimmers on our team as the
world heads towards the 2016 Summer Olympics, but we are also excited
about the potential with Missy beyond the games in Rio. This partnership
is about connecting our brand with someone who shares our year-round
passion for the water, and can help us inspire more people to 'jump in.'
Missy has a magnetic personality and an innate ability to connect with
people wherever she goes.”
The latest Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) research shows
that swimming for fitness is the fastest growing fitness trend. As
participation in these types of activities, such as water running and
water cycling, continues to increase, Speedo has chosen Franklin
to lead its initiative to educate athletes and weekend warriors on the
benefits of adding water to their workout regimen. Additionally, as a
leader in developing new and innovative products for all fitness levels
and ages, Franklin will endorse Speedo’s entire product
portfolio, from competitive suits, caps and goggles to its unique and
stylish suits and accessories designed specifically for fitness in and
around the water.
“I love being in the water whether I am training, competing or just
having fun, and I am excited to partner with Speedo to share my
passion with others and inspire them to get in the water too,” said Missy
Franklin. “Speedo is a brand I have trusted since I began
swimming. With their support, I know I can reach my goals, and am
looking forward to working with them in both the competitive swimming
and fitness categories."
Franklin, 20, medaled five times and won gold in four events at the 2012
Olympic Games in London at age 17, setting a world record in the
200-meter backstroke and breaking the American record in the 100-meter
backstroke. She won gold and broke the world record as part of the
4x100-meter medley relay team and also won bronze as part of the
400-meter free relay team. In 2013, Franklin became the most-decorated
female swimmer in history at a single World Championships, winning six
gold medals at the event in Barcelona. In 2015, as a member of the
University of California, Berkeley women’s swim team, she won three NCAA
individual titles and set the American record in the 200-yard freestyle.
About Speedo
Speedo is the world’s leading swimwear brand. The teams at Speedo
are passionate about life in and around the water, creating
revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations, and supporting
swimming from the grassroots to the elite level. In the 1920’s Speedo
made history with the Racerback, the world’s first non-wool suit.
In 2008, Speedo redefined swimwear again with Fastskin LZR
RACER, one of the fastest and most technologically advanced
swimsuits ever created; 2011 saw Speedo unveil another world
first with the Fastskin Racing System - a cap, goggle and suit designed
to work together as one. Speedo is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V.
and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; in North America
and the Caribbean, Speedo is licensed exclusively to Warnaco
Swimwear Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH Corp. To find out more,
visit www.speedousa.com.
About PVH
PVH Corp., one of the world’s largest apparel companies, owns and
markets the iconic Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands
worldwide. It is the world’s largest shirt and neckwear company and
markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen,
Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, ARROW,
Warner’s and Olga, and its licensed brands, including Speedo,
Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole
Reaction, MICHAEL Kors, Sean John, Chaps,
Donald J. Trump Signature Collection and Ike Behar.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150618005142/en/
Source: PVH Corp.
For PVH Corp.
United Entertainment Group
Christine Thomas,
212-704-4505
Christine.Thomas@uegworldwide.com
