(Vancouver, BC, Canada) – Popular golf and sportswear designer Linda Hipp and her company, LIJA, announce the successful launch of a unique new Female Teaching Professionals Program designed to enhance brand awareness while establishing a network of ambassadors at marquee clubs and resorts throughout North America.
Targeting leading teaching pros – including many who rank among North America’s Top-50 – LIJA’s initiative is among the broadest of its kind in the apparel category. Direct results of initial outreach include an inaugural membership of more than 120 pros, the opening of new accounts, thousands of dollars in merchandise orders and overwhelmingly positive feedback from program members.
"I love LIJA! It all fits perfectly, is very comfortable and looks fabulous," says Susan Fasoldt, LPGA Teaching Professional at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club in Sarasota, Florida. "I am confidant that wearing the apparel will help promote LIJA to our membership."
Created to increase LIJA’s profile with professionals and their students, the program provides participants with "Teaching Pro" sponsorship packages enabling them to personally test the line’s latest styles. Each member received polos, shorts, skorts, T-shirts, belts, caps and visors, as well as 25 gift cards for distribution to clients and other industry insiders.
"The response to this initiative has been tremendous," says Hipp, company founder and principal designer. "We wanted to reach female teaching professionals at a grassroots level to increase their familiarity with LIJA and get feedback on the fit and feel of our line. These women wear golf clothing all the time and have particular influence on consumer and merchandiser purchasing."
The distinctiveness of LIJA’s Female Teaching Professionals Program has created significant brand buzz among the member pros and their students.
"LIJA apparel is hip, happening, functional and fun," says Deb Vangellow, LPGA Director of Instruction at Sweetwater Country Club in Houston, TX and a Golf For Women Top 50 Teacher. "My women students love the line and are excited about future apparel options . . . everyone can ‘fit’ into this line of clothing."
The line’s Fall 2007 collections are currently available in stores and online. Shipping of the Spring 2008 collections – including an entirely new group of off-course leisurewear – commences in late November.
LIJA is a staple in finer golf and non-golf retailers across North America, including world-renowned resorts and clubs like Pebble Beach, Doral, Kiawah Island, Whistling Straights and Congressional. The company’s clothing is worn by scores of women golf professionals worldwide.
More information is available at www.LIJAStyle.com or 604.270.6060.
About LIJA
LIJA is a market leader in fashion-forward styles featuring feminine and comfortable silhouettes inspired by the fusion of sport, leisure and fashion. The brand’s distinctive excellence is driven by LIJA’s passion, commitment and dedication to creating innovative designs.
LIJA has received significant recognition within and outside the golf industry, achieving organic annual sales growth of at least 50 percent each of the past seven years. Enjoying a rapidly expanding sales force and account base in North America, LIJA recently began selling into the UK, Australian and Japanese markets.
Recent recognition for the company includes:
â?¢ 2007 PGA Magazine – Resort Top Seller
â?¢ 2007 PGA Magazine – Private Course Top Seller
â?¢ 2007 Best of Show Honors at PGA Show – Golfing Magazine
â?¢ 2007 PROFIT 100 Rankings of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies
â?¢ 2006 PROFIT W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Women Entrepreneurs
â?¢ 2006 Business in Vancouver "BC’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies"
â?¢ 2005 Canadian Golf Company of the Year – Score Golf magazine
Individually, Linda Hipp has been honored as a grant recipient of the Matinee Fashion Foundation Award, which annually recognizes and funds select Canadian designers, and voted a "40 Under 40" winner by Business in Vancouver.
An avid and highly-skilled golfer, Hipp struggled to find on-course apparel that meshed with her off-course fashion sensibility. Recognizing a market opportunity – and the chance to combine her passions for fashion, golf and business – Hyp Golf was launched in July 1997. The company re-branded as LIJA in late 2004. Chiefly influenced by both European trends and West Coast style, Hipp has garnered a widespread reputation as one of North America’s hottest sportswear designers.
Contact:
Andrea Latta
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3383
alatta@billycaspergolf.com
