Penn Extends Contract with ATP
Penn #1 Choice of ATP PlayersFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Westerfield
Centennial Tower
Atlanta,
404-262-3000
lisa.westerfield@edelman.com
01/08/04 - PHOENIX -- Penn, America's number one selling tennis ball, announces the extension of their licensing arrangement with the ATP that will keep the Penn ATP ball bouncing through 2008. The arrangement will allow Penn to manufacture and market the tennis balls across the globe, and an international advertising campaign is already scheduled for next year.
"Our partnership with Penn has yielded the number one tennis ball choice of ATP tournaments and players according to survey findings," said Chris Clouser, CEO of ATP Properties. "Aligning with Penn allows us to reach more players around the world and provide them with the best product on the market."
Penn and the ATP will re-launch an enhanced version of the Penn ATP ball worldwide in early 2004 with several new features. A new long-wearing felt will lengthen the life of each ball, and will also feature Smart Optik felt that makes the ball 19 percent brighter than other tennis balls for enhanced visibility. Available in clay and hard court versions, the new Penn ATP ball will also feature an upgraded rubber core for a precise bounce and high-elastic seams for reduced cracking.
These upgraded features are due to Penn and the ATP's on-going testing of their tennis balls to ensure they offer the most durable, playable and consistent balls on the market.
"The Penn ATP ball, used in 10 of the top 14 tournaments across the globe, is synonymous with quality and prestige," said Dave Haggerty, CEO of HEAD USA. "Penn consumers know that when they buy Penn, they're buying the best."
HEAD is the #1 selling tennis racquet brand in Europe and #2 worldwide. Penn is the only tennis ball and racquetball ball Made in the USA and has built the leading market position in the United States, holding the status of America's #1 selling ball and the World's #1 selling racquetball.
HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports is a division of HEAD NV which owns such premier sporting goods brands as HEAD (tennis, racquetball, squash, skis and boots, sportswear), Penn (tennis balls and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), Mares and Dacor (both scuba gear).
For more information, visit www.head.com and www.pennracquet.com.
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Media Contacts:
Esther Lippman and Kristen Tate, 404-262-3000
Event Date: 11/30/99
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