First and Only Dedicated Fan Forum & Ballot for Hall of Fame at jcp.com/fans
Tapping into the passion and knowledge ofpro football fans, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises, Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation [NYSE:PVH] and J. C. Penney Company, Inc. [NYSE: JCP] have teamed up to provide the first-everdedicated forum for fans to debate, discuss, and voice their choice by voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Class of 2010. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors will have final say, but the collective Fan’s Choice for the 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Class will be revealed live on the NFL Network in Miami on February 6, 2010, just prior to the official announcement from the Board.
Pro football fans are invited to visit the Van Heusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan’s Choice at www.jcp.com/fans now and throughout the season to view and experience the most in-depth coverage surrounding the 2010 Hall of Fame Class selection. The robust forum will include stats on all 130+ candidates and opinions from football experts, Hall of Fame players and fans around the country. Fans are invited to participate in the debate and lobby for their favorite players, post video messages and vote for their choice for the 2010 class. The collective Fan’s Choice will be observed by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP.
“This is a historic moment for the Hall and for football fans, as it marks the first time we are endorsing this type of fan voting forum,” said George Veras, President Pro Football Hall Of Fame Enterprises. “Although the fan’s vote will not count towards the official selection process, one thing is certain, the Hall will hear the fans loud and clear.”
“We are proud to have our Van Heusen brand partnering with JCPenney and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to unleash the passion of pro football fans by giving them their own platform to speak up and be heard,” said Allen Sirkin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation. “This is the only official opinion poll on this subject and we’re excited to see the debate and how, ultimately, the Fan’s Choice for the Class of 2010 stacks up against the choices of the Board of Selectors.”
In addition to the campaign being centered on jcp.com, JCPenney stores around the nation will offer eligible fans the opportunity to enter a text-and-win sweepstakes for exclusive experiences, which include playing golf with Hall of Famers at Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Spanish Bay Country Clubs; a VIP trip to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida; and a VIP experience to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend including tossing the coin at the 2010 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
“Our partnership with Van Heusen and thePro Football Hall of Fame will provide an exciting experience for our customers, allowing us to communicate our signature style, quality and affordable prices through a venue that men know and love - football,” said Steve Lawrence, Executive Vice President of Men’s Apparel at JCPenney. “As one of America’s largest retailers for licensed sports apparel, we know that our customers are very passionate about football. We are thrilled to launch an interactive site with Van Heusen for these fans supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign that reinforces JCPenney as the preferred shopping destination for men.”
Hall of Fame quarterback, ESPN NFL analyst and program spokesperson Steve Young cast the first fan vote for the Class of 2010 during the first of four one-hour television shows titled, “Road to Canton” that aired on the NFL Network this past Saturday. The series chronicles the Hall of Fame’s nomination and selection process, from an initial list of 130+ eligible retired players, coaches and contributors announced in September through cuts made in November and January, to the eventual final selection for the Class of 2010 in February. The series of shows will feature the Fan’s Choice as recorded from votes posted on the Van Heusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan’s Choice web site along with updates, polls, fan videos and other content from the robust site.
“Pro football fans are extremely knowledgeable and have never had a platform like this to express their passions for who they think should be in the Hall,” said Young. “I’m excited to see who they rally behind and how their choices compare to those of the Board of Selectors.”
The Van Heusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan’s Choice will also be featured at select NFL stadiums around the nation. Events will be held at key NFL match-ups and will feature appearances by Hall of Famers and memorabilia from the Hall of Fame’s permanent collection, as well as “Fan Face-Off” debates where fans will have the opportunity to go head-to-head against each other and make a case for their favorite player. The tour made its first stop at the Chicago Bears season home-opener on Sunday, September 20th against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bears Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers, along with Steelers Hall of Famer Lynn Swan, participated and interacted with fans. Visit www.jcp.com/fans for tour information.
A comprehensive ad campaign will be featured across TV, radio, print, digital and outdoor, including within ESPN’s Monday Night Football, the nationally-syndicated “Mike & Mike” program, NFL Network, Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. Digital outlets include ESPN.com, NFL.com, Yahoo.com, AskMen.com, Brash.com as well as on the 80x60 foot Times Square Billboard @ 42nd and Broadway.
About Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation is one of the world’s largest apparel companies. It owns and markets the Calvin Klein brand 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, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, unlisted, A Kenneth Cole Production, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Attitude, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud, Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and Timberland. Visit www.pvh.com.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,106 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $18.5 billion in 2008 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney.
About Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Mission of THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME is to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to professional football; to preserve professional football's historic documents and artifacts; to educate the public regarding the origin, development and growth of professional football as an important part of American culture; to promote the positive values of the sport.
Contacts:
Edelman
Heather Ferraiuolo, 212-704-8203
Heather.Ferraiuolo@matter-edelman.com
or
Media:
Phillips
-Van Heusen Corporation
Jason Colin, 212-381-3937
jasoncolin@pvh.com
or
Investor:
Phillips-Van
Heusen Corporation
Mike Shaffer, 212-381-3523
mikeshaffer@pvh.com
or
JCPenney
Quinton
Crenshaw, 972-431-5581
qcrensha@jcpenney.com
