SKECHERS USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX) announced today that it
has signed platinum recording artist Ashlee Simpson. Under the global
endorsement agreement, the 21-year-old singing sensation will appear
in the Company's worldwide ad campaign through 2007.
"I grew up wearing SKECHERS. Like me, they are not afraid of
taking chances and having fun," said Ashlee, who was recently declared
"One of the reigning queens of pop music!" by NBC's The Today Show.
"I'm happy to be a part of the brand and hope to add a few more pairs
to my closet."
Signing Ashlee as the front person for SKECHERS is a natural step
for the Company, which has a history of partnering with the most
talented female musicians from early fame through the height of their
careers. Past signings include Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera,
and the Company's current spokesperson, American Idol 2005 winner and
multi-platinum recording artist Carrie Underwood.
"Ashlee is a leading force in the music industry," commented
Michael Greenberg, SKECHERS' president. "She's young, beautiful,
talented, and already has two multi-platinum records and six million
records sold under her young belt. Ashlee is also the perfect union
between fashion and music, using her influence to empower young women
to be themselves. We were drawn to her energy, style and grace --
which we believe will be captured in the upcoming SKECHERS world
marketing campaign. We are excited to have Ashlee wearing our newest
women's footwear."
Ashlee will appear in a multi-level marketing campaign wearing
SKECHERS sport, active and fashion footwear. Set to launch in late
2006, the first photo shoot is scheduled for August 2006 after Ashlee
concludes the summer phase of her North American tour in support of
her No. 1 sophomore release I Am Me.
Ashlee first sparked interest in the entertainment world and with
teens in her recurring role on 7th Heaven (2002-2004), but it was the
two-season run of MTV's hit The Ashlee Simpson Show in 2004 that
brought her international attention and legions of fans. Her first
record, Autobiography, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200, and
has since sold four million copies. Like her first, I Am Me debuted at
No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200, and has to-date sold more than two
million copies since its 2005 debut. Ashlee was named Billboard's 2004
"Artist of the Year," and is the June/July cover girl on Teen People's
"Top 25 Under 25." Recently, Ashlee has appeared on covers of Marie
Claire, Cosmopolitan, Jane and Blender.
SKECHERS USA, Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, California, designs,
develops and markets a diverse range of men's, women's and children's
footwear under the SKECHERS name as well as under seven uniquely
branded names. SKECHERS footwear is available in the United States via
department and specialty stores, Company-owned SKECHERS retail stores
and its e-commerce website, as well as in over 100 countries and
territories through the Company's global network of distributors and
Canadian and European subsidiaries. Please visit www.skechers.com or
call the Company's information line at 877-INFO-SKX.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include,
without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate
or simply state future results, performance or achievements of the
Company, and can be identified by the use of forward looking language
such as "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "intend,"
"plan," "project," "will be," "will continue," "will result," "could,"
"may," "might," or any variations of such words with similar meanings.
Any such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties are
disclosed, referenced or incorporated by reference from time to time
in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and
10-K. Furthermore, the Company operates in a very competitive and
rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time and
the Company cannot predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess
the impact of all such risk factors on its business or the extent to
which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual
results. Moreover, reported results should not be considered an
indication of the Company's future performance.
