LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.
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.
