(Londonderry, New Hampshire) – Renowned Danish shoemaker ECCO announces the extension of its endorsement agreement with international Tour star Thomas Bjorn.
Under terms of the agreement, Bjorn will continue to exclusively wear ECCO golf shoes during all on-course activities and display the brand’s logo on the collar of his golf shirt. The 37-year-old will also appear at company functions and be a focus of advertising and marketing campaigns.
“ECCO makes a product I truly believe in,” says Bjorn. “The shoes help me perform my best under any conditions and I know this relationship means continued success.”
The most successful Danish golfer in history, Bjorn’s professional accomplishments span a decade. He has nine career wins, including seven on the European Tour and two on the Japan Golf Tour. His 11 runner-up finishes include the 2000 and 2003 British Opens and the 2005 PGA Championship.
The first Dane to play in the Ryder Cup, Bjorn was a key contributor on the 1997 and 2002 teams.
“As the first professional player to endorse ECCO golf shoes, we have a longstanding partnership with Thomas,” says Jesper Thuen, Sponsor and Event Manager, ECCO Golf. “It is important to us that we maintain our strong relationships with the world’s best.”
In addition to Bjorn, ECCO golf shoes are worn in competition by Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Arjun Atwal, Thongchai Jaidee, John Bickerton, Steven Jeppesen, Juli Inkster, Carin Koch, Pat Hurst, Sophie Gustafson, Laura Davies, Meena Lee, Candie Kung, Linda Wessberg, Wendy Ward and others.
The company’s Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection features unequaled comfort, style and performance in several new designs, including the distinctive C-Force Hydromax for men – the first-ever golf shoe to incorporate a Carbon Force Plate to provide unequaled lightness, flexibility, strength and durability. For women, the new ACE series offers a unique system of interlocking Truss Support Elements that creates the most advanced swing platform in the women’s game.
Distinguished by advanced technologies alongside an unmatched combination of out-of-the-box comfort, high-grade leathers and attention to detail, each shoe in the 2008 collection passes through more than 225 sets of highly-skilled hands during a production process exclusively executed at ECCO-owned factories. This labor-intensive manufacturing guarantees the brand’s golf shoes help players excel under the most demanding conditions.
All ECCO designs blend a network of built-in technologies to create the ideal platform for the perfect swing. Principal among these is a direct-injected, PU-constructed midsole/outsole. Made from a process unique to ECCO in the golf industry, this:
* Creates a one-piece shoe construction
* Ensures unrivaled durability, flexibility, lightness and weather resistance
* Provides a superior level of cushioning and comfort that does not break down over time, unlike commonly-used materials such as air, rubber and EVA foam
Additional performance features of the Spring/Summer 2008 golf collection include:
* Ultra-soft, high-grade leathers with hydrophobic treatments for superb weather-resistance
* Internal stabilizer to reduce torque and create ideal swing stability
* Double-layer insole with cushion that absorbs heel force to reduce stress on the knees, hips and back
* Internal Air-Circulation System to maintain a fresh, dry and cool foot environment
* Dynamic Energy Return System that provides a trampoline effect during foot-strike and follow-through to reduce fatigue and restore energy with each step
* Green-friendly outsole designs featuring molded traction bars combined with Stinger cleats from Champ and the Q-Lok insert system to provide ideal traction and grip
About ECCO
The only major shoe manufacturer to own and manage the entire value chain from cow to consumer, ECCO is a global leader in city, casual and sport shoes for men, women and children. In 2007, the Danish company sold almost 17 million pairs, achieving net revenues of ?756 million.
Founded in 1963 by Karl Toosbuy, ECCO has nearly 15,000 employees, direct subsidiaries in Europe, the Far East and North America, and partners worldwide. ECCO shoes are sold in more than 3,000 shops globally, including 687 mono-brand (ECCO exclusive) stores.
Following the rules of good craftsmanship to deliver genuine freedom of movement and comfort to consumers, ECCO’s aim has never been to be the biggest, but always to be the best.
ECCO USA is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. For more information: visit www.eccousa.com, 800.886.3226.
Contact:
David Griffith
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3391
dgriffith@billycaspergolf.com
