Skechers Performance Division announced that seven-time PGA TOUR champion Matt Kuchar-currently ranked 5th in the world-will be the first brand ambassador and face of the Skechers GOgolf line. The multi-year partnership will feature Kuchar in a global Skechers GOgolf advertising campaign that covers TV, print, digital and outdoor mediums. Skechers Performance Division will also collaborate with Matt Kuchar on a namesake signature shoe line.
"We are excited to announce the addition of Matt Kuchar to the Skechers Performance Division as we expand the Skechers GOgolf line," said Robert Greenberg, SKECHERS Chief Executive Officer. "Aligning with Matt is key to our overall growth strategy for the Performance Division and we know he will play an integral role in building brand awareness with both consumers as well as the discerning golf community."
As one of the most respected golfers in the sport, Kuchar's accomplishments are noteworthy. After bursting on to the golf scene with his trademark smile at the 1998 Masters as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion, he has claimed seven titles on the PGA Tour and is a perennial fixture atop tournament leaderboards. His 2013 season was a banner year, as he earned two PGA Tour titles and helped the U.S. squad win the Presidents Cup.
"Whether competing or practicing, I'm on my feet for hours, so the comfort and performance of my shoes is a critical factor in my success," Kuchar said. "In trying out the GOgolf line, I was really pleased both with the shoe and with the Skechers Performance Division team. Their attention to detail and expertise in performance footwear is impressive."
"Matt brings a great deal of knowledge to our product development," added Rick Higgins, VP of Merchandising/Marketing, Skechers Performance Division. "He offers all the qualities we look for in a brand ambassador so we're thrilled to partner with him on our Skechers GOgolf line. We work closely with our elite athletes to build innovative footwear and Matt's insight will help infuse our existing award-winning technologies into our golf offering."
This announcement marks the third elite, high-profile professional athlete to join the Skechers Performance Division. On board since 2011, champion marathoner and Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi recently extended his agreement by three years through 2016 and elite distance runner Kara Goucher signed on in May.
Driven by messaging that builds on the success of the award-winning Skechers GOrun and GOwalk platforms, Skechers GOgolf marketing initiatives will continue to emphasize a grassroots strategy with event sponsorships, product demonstrations and tradeshows to target the professional and recreational golf community. Skechers Performance Division is known for developing products that combine high-performance technology and innovation with unparalleled comfort, and Skechers GOgolf follows suit, bringing advanced footwear to the fairway that is built for functionality and comfort on and off the green.
The success and expansion of the Skechers Performance Division comes at a time when SKECHERS ranks as the 3rd largest athletic shoe company in the U.S.* and was recently named the "the hottest major (footwear) brand in the U.S." by Princeton Retail Analysis.**
Skechers GOgolf shoes are available for men and women at SKECHERS retail stores, select retailers including golf pro shops and online. Learn more at SkechersGOrun.com and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/SkechersPerformance), Twitter (twitter.com/skechersGO) and Instagram (instagram.com/skechersperformance).
*Sportscan Data May 2014
**Matt Powell, April 2014 Footwear Overview
ABOUT SKECHERS USA, INC.
SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE: SKX), based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under the SKECHERS name. 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 Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan and across Europe, as well as through joint ventures in Asia. For more information, please visit www.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook (Facebook.com/SKECHERS) and Twitter (Twitter.com/SKECHERSUSA).
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