| PUMA, the global sportswear company, announced | | | | won multiple one-design sailing events - the toughest |
| that it will enter a boat in the 2008-2009 Volvo | | | | cauldron of all." |
| Ocean Race. Three boats are now officially involved | | | | Bourke continued, "He is an incredibly good |
| and additional sponsorship announcements are | | | | spokesperson for the sport. He's a sensible guy, he's |
| expected soon. PUMA, according to sailing | | | | been involved in sailing for a long time, he's seen it |
| enthusiasts, is the recent exciting addition to the | | | | from the grass-roots up and he is one of those |
| entry list. | | | | special guys who can get the race out to a broader |
| "We are thrilled to announce PUMA's entry into the | | | | cross section of people and he also gets the big |
| Volvo Ocean Race - one of the world's iconic | | | | picture. He's very committed to the sports side, but |
| sporting events," said Jochen Zeitz, the Chairman and | | | | not at the expense of the business side." |
| CEO, PUMA AG. "The race's global reach, lifestyle | | | | "Running and skippering a Volvo Ocean Race |
| appeal and true sporting characteristics match the | | | | programme is a dream come true," Read said. "I'm |
| PUMA brand perfectly and provide PUMA with | | | | very proud to be part of the PUMA Racing Team |
| exciting new opportunities to make a strong mark in | | | | and to take the lead in this new and exciting venture. |
| the world of sailing, on and off the water. This | | | | I believe PUMA is the type of company that the |
| continues our strategy to expand into new product | | | | sailing world needs, which can think outside the box |
| categories and explore the potential of the brand." | | | | and deliver this sport to an entirely new group of |
| Glenn Bourke, the Volvo Ocean Race CEO, said, "I | | | | consumers. It's going to be an incredible journey for |
| am delighted for the Volvo Ocean Race that a | | | | all of us." |
| company with such global gravitas as PUMA has | | | | "The race's global reach, lifestyle appeal and true |
| decided to come on board. What I am most pleased | | | | sporting characteristics match the PUMA brand |
| about is that a big consumer brand sees the race as | | | | perfectly and provide PUMA with exciting new |
| a viable mechanism for promoting its brand and | | | | opportunities to make a strong mark in the world of |
| showcasing its products." | | | | sailing, on and off the water. This continues our |
| He added, "This race is hugely demanding | | | | strategy to expand into new product categories and |
| psychologically, physically and emotionally on | | | | explore the potential of the brand", noted Zeitz. |
| everybody involved in it and we are confident that | | | | "Puma are involved in Formula One, Moto GP and |
| our new partner PUMA has what it takes to support | | | | NASCAR and they see us as an extension of that |
| the sailors with high quality and innovative lifestyle | | | | portfolio of sporting events. The Volvo Ocean Race |
| products." | | | | provides them with an ideal platform to reach an |
| The PUMA Racing Team will be led by Ken Read, one | | | | entirely new consumer audience." |
| of the world's most accomplished sailors. Read has | | | | PUMA's move stresses the race's stature as a |
| twice been involved in America's Cup campaigns. He | | | | persuasive marketing platform. Now, it is not just a |
| was also named United States Rolex Yachtsman of | | | | Volvo performance part and ocean race thrill that will |
| the Year twice. Bourke added, "PUMA has chosen | | | | make spectators succumb - PUMA will delight them |
| wisely in asking Ken Read to head up the campaign. | | | | further with a pouncing ocean performance. |
| He is one of the finest sailors in the world. He has | | | | |