HEAD (PRODUCT) RED PARTNERSHIP MEDIA COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS - JUNE 7TH 2013
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Shoulder Soldiers: Head teams with (RED) to fight AIDS Thursday, May 23, 2013 /by Richard Pagliaro Several of tennis' top stars will be armed for assistance next week, toting red aid on Roland Garros' coppercolored clay. Head Tennis has joined (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a Head (RED) special edition bag collection. Many of Head's top players—world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon, and Sloane Stephens—will carry the limited-edition red bags at Roland Garros, partnering to raise both awareness and money for the cause. (Maria Sharapova, who has her own bag line, won't, but is taking part in the campaign.) Head announced 40 percent of the profits from each bag sold will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. "I was made aware of it through Head tennis and I decided to pick up this fight with other players and try to help Red fight against AIDS," Simon told TENNIS.com in a telephone interview. "I feel it is a great idea and very important and nice initiative. We are just happy to help as much as we can. Tennis fans all over the world watch Roland Garros and I think this is why it is so important because so many people will see the bag. The bag is beautiful, it is going to help people and hopefully is a way to help people be aware that there is a fight here and we can all help in some way." The new collection includes a tennis racquet bag and a backpack, which will be available at selected retail stores around the world starting at the end of the month. Both crimson-colored bags carry the unique (RED) branding. The Monstercombi racquet bag most players will carry at the French Open features compartments for 12 racquets, a front pocket, and detachable, adjustable, and hideable backpack straps. The backpack holds one racquet and offers an integrated shoe compartment and front zipper pocket. A video promotion for the bag recalls a tennis version of the children's game "telephone", as each player places one personal item into the bag, then signs the bag before passing it on. Simon appears at 33-second mark of the video contributing his "favorite shirt" to the bag. Watching the players packing the bag provides some unintentional comic relief—Stephens' "Oh no!" moment at the 65-second mark, followed by a fist-pumping Andy Murray's premature celebration and Djokovic's closing kicks—all add a personal touch to a worthy cause. The bag used in the video and signed by all of the players will eventually be awarded to one fan through a lottery conducted via the Head Facebook page. "It's a simple video with a very funny point: Everyone wanted to put something personal inside and seeing what every player decided to put into the bag and then how they have to remember all the other things
already in, was funny," Simon said. "The great thing is one person will win the bag and everything in it. So I think the fans will want to fight to get this bag and the video is a funny way to talk about something that is a very serious fight and if this can help people then that is what we all want to achieve." Tennis is billed as the sport for a lifetime, and recent life experiences have shaped Simon's view on the platform tennis provides to promote health and social causes. Simon's son, Timothé, will celebrate his third birthday on September 2. Simon said fatherhood has provided some perspective on life outside the lines. "Of course, the first—and most important—thing when you have a baby is you want him to be healthy," Simon said. "You know the feeling you have when the baby [is delivered] and the doctor says it's healthy and okay? You feel you are very, very lucky and very happy. You appreciate the health and of course you want to help those are who are not lucky, who are not so healthy. I know as a tennis player I have a beautiful life. I always wanted to be a tennis player. I am living my dream and I feel very lucky my job is my passion. But I know many people are not so lucky so you feel you just want to help anyway we can. I hope this will help in some way." (RED) was founded in 2006 by U2's Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS. Learn more at joinred.com.
‘Media pressure is over rated’ – Gilles Simon Q&A By Eurosport | Tramlines – Sat, May 25, 2013 08:11 BST Email Share 5
Simon has been working with HEAD Tennis and (RED) on a campaign designed to raise awareness of and funds for the …
Ahead of the French Open, Tramlines had a chance to have a brief exclusive chat with former world number six Gilles Simon. The 28-year-old told us about the unique pressure that goes with being a Frenchman at Roland Garros, he's own childhood memories of the tournament and what it is like playing in arguably the toughest era in the history of men's tennis. Tramlines: As a Frenchman with Roland Garros just around the corner it must be an exciting time of the season for you? Gilles Simon: Yes, of course, it is a very important tournament for me and I'm always excited when it comes around. I'm here in Nice which is another tournament I like to play as a warm-up. I was born here so it is very special for me to be able to play in front of so many friends and family. So it is a great moment in the season. TL: People say you are one of the more relaxed players on the tour but do you ever suffer from nerves, and is Roland Garros different from the other events? GS: Yes! Unfortunately of course I suffer from nerves. However, I just try and stay as relaxed as possible. I just try to perform to my ability on the court but it is never easy to find a good balance of being focused and being relaxed at the same time. I just try my best to be balanced, like every player, I don't know what it looks like from the outside but in the inside I do feel nervous at times. TL: When Wimbledon is on over here in Britain, the entire country, not just tennis fans, is paying attention to the sport. Is it a similar situation in France when Roland Garros is on? GS: Yes it is. I feel like Roland Garros is a like a party for everyone. I think even the players get very excited whenever there is a chance to play a Slam. For the French players Roland Garros is a little bit different from the other ones, it is even more special, because when I was a kid I was watching this tournament on TV or in the stadium, I wanted to be a tennis player and this is the venue that I really wanted to play at. So every time I get to play on the centre court it is a very nice feeling for me, it is still a bit scary, but it is nice. What is special about this tournament is that it is not just about tennis – so many people are here just for the event and they discover the sport through that and it gives it a different feel from other tournaments on the tour.
TL: In Britain there is lots of media pressure on Andy Murray when Wimbledon comes along as he is the country's only real contender. Is it easier for a Frenchman at Roland Garros because there are so many of you in or around the top 50? Do you take support from each other? GS: I think the media sometimes believes that we feel pressure because they are putting it on us to impress, but this really is not true. If Andy has pressure at Wimbledon it is not because everybody else wants him to win but because HE wants to win. He wants to win this tournament more than the others and that is the same for us French players at Roland Garros. You might have 15 Frenchman in the top 100, and even if we are ranked in the 60s or the 80s, you could say there is no pressure because nobody is expecting you to win but at the end of the day, there is a lot of pressure, because you just want to put in a good performance. The biggest pressure you have is the one you put on your own shoulders and for this there is no extra help having 15 other Frenchmen in the draw instead of just one like Andy has at Wimbledon. TL: It is a golden era for men's tennis at the moment with potentially four all-time greats currently playing. Are you glad you get to play in this era or do you sometimes wish you were born 10 years earlier when it might have been easier to win big tournaments? GS: I have mixed feelings about this. I'm very lucky I get to play against Roger Federer – who has gone down in the record books as the greatest player in history and I get to play Rafa on clay who is of course the best player on that surface ever. You feel like it is a huge challenge when you have to compete against these guys like Novak when he wins over 40 matches in a row, you feel like you have played against the best player that could possibly be in front of you. And every time you manage to beat one of these guys, you feel so proud you managed to do it, and it is a really nice feeling. But then on the other hand it makes it very complicated to win some tournaments, especially the biggest ones, because they are competing so hard for them every time. In the past, you always had guys outside of the top 10 who were able to get to Grand Slam finals and sometimes win them but now it is almost always about these four guys when it comes to the big finals. So I'm a bit sad that we have FOUR of them – I think one of two would have been enough! TL: You said you watched the French Open a lot as a kid. Are the any moments in the tournament in particular that inspired you to become a tennis player? GS: I went to watch many matches at Roland Garros so I have many special memories in my head. One match that sticks out though was one year I got see Thomas Muster defeat Andre Agassi (in
1994). It was really exciting match and the atmosphere was electric, I was there inside the stadium thinking: this is the court where I want to play, as there was just such a special feeling in the stands. TL: What is your aim for the rest of the season - can you overtake the big four and claim one of the big tournaments? Is that the aim? GS: Of course, my aim is win the biggest titles possible. To reach that you have to defeat these four guys. I was close to defeating Andy just two weeks ago and I always look forward to claiming a great victory over one of these top guys because I know when you get one it is a lot easier to get a second one. It is a long time since I've beaten one of them so I really feel I need to get one victory over one of these four guys and then something good could happen. TL: Are you looking forward to the grass court season once Roland Garros is finished? GS: Yes, I like to play on grass although unfortunately I'm usually very tired after the clay court season. I will try to do better with my fitness this year though. TL: And would you like if there were a few more grass court tournaments? GS: Yes, I think we are going to have another week on the grass in a year or two which is good news as we have a Slam on grass so it is important part of the season and two tournaments to prepare is not enough. So it would be great to have at least one more week on grass. HEAD Tennis has joined (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a HEAD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition bag collection. Gilles Simon is one of 75 players who will carry the (HEAD)RED Special Edition racquet bag at the French Open. For further information go to http://head.com/red
THE PRO SHOP
Product Profile: Head (RED) Bags THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 /BY JON LEVEY
Besides sliding and tricky bounces, one of the undeniable truths of playing on clay is your gear usually leaves the court sullied for the effort. This is particularly so of red clay, which can discolor your apparel like a blood-stain tattoo. While the new Head (RED) bags— released in conjunction with the French Open—would help solve this problem, the idea behind the line goes to an infinitely greater good. For every one of these bags sold, Head will donate 40 percent of the profits to the (RED) Global Fund, with 100 percent of the donations going towards fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Global Fund was started in 2002 and is the leading provider of programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. (RED), co-founded in 2006 by Bono, partners with various iconic brands, including Apple, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola, in the hopes of delivering the first AIDS-free generation by 2015. During Roland Garros, the two Head bags—(RED) Monstercombi ($110) and (RED) Backpack ($70)— will be carried by all of the company’s pro players, except Maria Sharapova, who has her own bag line. In addition, the Head players all signed and put one of the favorite personal items in a special (RED) bag, which fans can win on the Head (RED) Facebook page. There’s a funny accompanying video of the players donating their item in which Sharapova can’t help but plug one of her products, Murray can’t help but chuckle, and Djokovic can’t get through his portion without getting bleeped:
News: Head and (RED) Partner to Fight for an AIDS Free Generation
HEAD players will carry (HEAD)RED Special Edition bags at the French Open Paris/France - May 23rd, 2013: HEAD Tennis is joining (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a HEAD (PRODUCT) REDSpecial Edition bag collection. Partnering to raise both awareness and money for the fight, 40% of the profits from each (HEAD) REDbag sold will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. HEAD's world's best tennis players will showcase their support by carrying the (HEAD) RED Special Edition racquet bag on court at the upcoming French Open Grand Slam tournament in Paris. In addition, HEAD asked its stars Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens to pack their favourite items into one special (HEAD)RED bag which features in a unique viral video. The spot, which launched today onwww.youtube.com/headtennis, will promote the partnership across digital and social media. Furthermore, a bespoke app on www.facebook.com/headtennis gives tennis fans the chance to show their support and win the special (HEAD)RED bag with the personal items and signatures of the HEAD tennis stars. "We are extremely proud to join a family of leading global brands supporting (RED) in the fight for an AIDS free generation", says HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch. "I would like to thank our players for their support and invite tennis fans and players around the world to join HEAD and (RED) in this worthy and important cause." "It's fantastic to see a brand as iconic as HEAD partner with (RED) to raise funds and blow out awareness of the fight against AIDS at an event as high profile as the French Open. Tennis fans right around the world will love these fantastic bags!" says Deborah Dugan, CEO (RED). The new (HEAD)RED collection is the latest addition to the range of (RED) products. It includes a tennis racquet bag and a backpack, which will be available at selected retail stores around the world at the end of May 2013. For more information please visit: www.head.com/tennis www.facebook.com/headtennis
www.youtube.com/headtennis www.joinred.com
HEAD AND (RED) PARTNER TO FIGHT FOR AN AIDS FREE GENERATION at the French Open HEAD Tennis is joining (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a HEAD (PRODUCT) bag collection. Partnering to raise both awareness and money for the fight, 40% of the profits from each (HEAD) to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
RED
RED
Special Edition
bag sold will go
RED
HEAD’s world’s best tennis players will showcase their support by carrying the (HEAD) Special Edition racquet bag on court at the upcoming French Open Grand Slam tournament in Paris. In addition, HEAD asked its stars Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens to pack RED their favourite items into one special (HEAD) bag which features in a unique viral video. The spot, which launched today on www.youtube.com/headtennis, will promote the partnership across digital and social media. Furthermore, a bespoke app onwww.facebook.com/headtennis gives tennis fans the chance to show their support and win the RED special (HEAD) bag with the personal items and signatures of the HEAD tennis stars. “We are extremely proud to join a family of leading global brands supporting (RED) in the fight for an AIDS free generation”, says HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch. “I would like to thank our players for their support and invite tennis fans and players around the world to join HEAD and (RED) in this worthy and important cause.”
“It’s fantastic to see a brand as iconic as HEAD partner with (RED) raise funds and blow out awareness of the fight against AIDS at an event as high profile as the French Open. Tennis fans right around the world will love these fantastic bags!” says Deborah Dugan, CEO (RED). The new (HEAD)RED collection is the latest addition to the range of (RED) products. It includes a tennis racquet bag and a backpack, which will be available at selected retail stores around the world at the end of May 2013.
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 21 MAY 27, 2013
INSIDE: Foot Locker profit jumps despite slow start, led by big gains at Kids FL. John Horan’s Deep Intelligence looks at the USGA new putter rule. Dick’s net hits target despite soft sales, especially in golf. Hibbett net is down 1% as cold weather hurts Midwest, Northeast. Sport Chalet has a solid comp gain and cuts loss for Q4, FY. Zumiez net falls 45% on 0.7% comp store decline. PacSun net loss grows but sales turn positive on 2% comp improvement. Shoe Carnival net falls 14% but athletic remains bright spot. Finish Line’s Running Specialty Group buys Blue Mile. USA Football says concussion rate is low. E-Commerce sales hit new records, with sports & fitness very strong. K-Swiss buys OTZ comfort brand. Yue Yuen net income halved on flat sales. U.S. Golf participation slides 2% in 2012. Correction: Asics has gains for FY. Judy Spies: Head, Heapsylon. Altrec NPD Lids L.L. Bean Shoppertrak Billabong Brown Shoe Iconix M.I.T. OIA Quiksilver SFIA USGA Bowling suits Genesco Nike. Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens is currently ranked World No. 17 by the Women’s Tennis Association. In her role as a Head Tennis-sponsored athlete, she is taking part in the brand’s effort, via a new (HEAD)RED special edition bag collection, to help support the Global Fund’s HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. To learn more, visit the new product department. Photo courtesy of Head Tennis.
INDUSTRY NEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR RETAILERS From the Editorial Team of Sporting Goods Intelligence
HEAD In Promotion To Fight Aids Written by: Staff on 24th May 2013
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HEAD Tennis is joining (RED) and the fight against Aids with the launch of a HEAD Special Edition bag collection. Partnering to raise both awareness and money for the fight, 40% of the profits from each bag sold will go to the Global Fund to fight Aids. HEAD’s players will showcase their support by carrying the (HEAD)RED Special Edition racquet bag on court at the upcoming French Open in Paris. HEAD asked its stars Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens to pack their favorite items into one special (HEAD)RED bag which features in a unique viral video. The spot, which launched today on www.youtube.com/headtennis, will promote the partnership across digital and social media. A new app on gives tennis fans the chance to show their support and win the special (HEAD)RED bag with the personal items and signatures of the HEAD tennis stars. The new (HEAD)RED collection includes a tennis racquet bag and a backpack, which will be available at selected retail stores around the world at the end of May 2013.
Bob Larson’s Daily Tennis News(Online) Circulation: 11,000 Date: May 24, 2013
Watch: HEAD + (RED) fight AIDS. Can YOU recall what's in the new bag? HEAD players Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens pack their favorite things into one special tennis bag in this lol video that showcases HEAD's new (HEAD)REDtennis bag. The tennis brand is teaming up with (RED) on this one and 40% of profits from the sale of each bag will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. That's a feel good bag.
“We are extremely proud to join a family of leading global brands supporting (RED) in the fight for an AIDS free generation”, said HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch. “I would like to thank our players for their support and invite tennis fans and players around the world to join HEAD and (RED) in this worthy and important cause.” Watch for the bag on all HEAD sponsored players at the French Open. Win the signed bag in the video by heading over to facebook.com/HEADtennis. The monstercombi and backpack style special editions will be available in select stores at the end of May 2013.
Head Tennis Launches Special Edition Bag Line posted by Gurvinder Singh Gandu | Posted on Thursday 05-23-2013 at 5:46 pm.
Just ahead of next week’s 2013 French Open, Head has teamed up with (RED) and the fight against AIDS to launch a Special Edition racquet bag collection. Head athletes, including Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, and others, will take to the clay courts at Roland Garros with the RED Monstercombi and/or the RED Backpack on their shoulders. Made from a durable polyester material, the Special Edition bag collection features compartments for racuets, as well as pockets for accessories. The collection will be available at specialty tennis retailers starting in June. RELATED: Maria Sharapova Puts the Head Graphene Instinct to the Test RELATED: Head Unveils the Speed Pro III Tennis Sneaker
HEAD and (RED) have partnered up for global change - and we at Tennis Express couldn't be happier! Read thispress release from Head.com to find out more: HEAD is proud to join (RED)™ to raise awareness and money for the fight against AIDS. And now you have the chance to support: get one of the (HEAD)RED Special Edition bags and 40% of the profits from every bag sold will go to the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. HEAD’s world’s best tennis players will showcase their support by carrying the (HEAD)RED Special Edition bag on court at the upcoming French Open in Paris. In addition, HEAD asked its stars Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens to pack their favourite items into one special (HEAD)RED bag which features in a unique viral video launched today (LEFT). Would you like to win the (HEAD)RED Monstercombi Bag, packed with the favorite items of our biggest HEAD stars? Then go to HEAD Tennis on Facebook now. Sign up, and show your support for HEAD and (RED)™ in their fight against AIDS!
HEAD AND (RED) PARTNER TO FIGHT FOR AN AIDS FREE GENERATION
HEAD players will carry (HEAD)RED Special Edition bags at the French Open Paris/France - May 23rd, 2013: HEAD Tennis is joining (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a HEAD (PRODUCT) REDSpecial Edition bag collection. Partnering to raise both awareness and money for the fight, 40% of the profits from each (HEAD) REDbag sold will go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. HEAD's world's best tennis players will showcase their support by carrying the (HEAD) RED Special Edition racquet bag on court at the upcoming French Open Grand Slam tournament in Paris. In addition, HEAD asked its stars Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon and Sloane Stephens to pack their favourite items into one special (HEAD) RED bag which features in a unique viral video. The spot, which launched today onwww.youtube.com/headtennis, will promote the partnership across digital and social media. Furthermore, a bespoke app on www.facebook.com/headtennis gives tennis fans the chance to show their support and win the special (HEAD)RED bag with the personal items and signatures of the HEAD tennis stars. "We are extremely proud to join a family of leading global brands supporting (RED) in the fight for an AIDS free generation", says HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch. "I would like to thank our players for their support and invite tennis fans and players around the world to join HEAD and (RED) in this worthy and important cause." "It's fantastic to see a brand as iconic as HEAD partner with (RED) raise funds and blow out awareness of the fight against AIDS at an event as high profile as the French Open. Tennis fans right around the world will love these fantastic bags!" says Deborah Dugan, CEO (RED). The new (HEAD)RED collection is the latest addition to the range of (RED) products. It includes a tennis racquet bag and a backpack, which will be available at selected retail stores around the world at the end of May 2013. For more information please visit: www.head.com/tennis www.facebook.com/headtennis www.youtube.com/headtennis www.joinred.com
The Tennis Space Saturday, 25 May 2013
Tips from France’s Gilles Simon on ‘How to cause an upset’. Simon was speaking from Paris where he has been working with HEAD Tennis and (RED) on a campaign designed to raise awareness of and funds for the fight against AIDS. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. “If you’re happy on court, I think you’re more likely to play well. I know that tennis is a job for me, but I sometimes have to take myself back to the beginning, when tennis was just a game, and I was playing it because I enjoyed it. If you can have fun on the court, that’s great, as you won’t put so much pressure on yourself to win.” Do your homework. “I like to know exactly what is coming up in front of me, and to know what their strengths and weaknesses are.” Your opponent have a big weapon, like a big serve or a big forehand, but that means that you can prepare your tactics. “Some players have obvious weapons, and if you have obvious weapons you need to be really good at that shot, as players can come up with a way of dealing with them. So if your opponent has a big forehand, you go on court immediately thinking of ways to play to their backhand, and to stop them from using their weapons. So you can try to avoid their forehand. Of course, it’s not so easy to avoid an opponent’s serve – that’s not going to happen – but at least you know what’s coming.” Take pleasure in destroying your opponent’s game. “That’s a great feeling, if you do your research, and have good tactics, you can do this.” HEAD Tennis has joined (RED) and the fight against AIDS with the launch of a HEAD (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition bag collection. Gilles Simon is one of 75 players who will carry the (HEAD)RED Special Edition racquet bag at the French Open. For further information go to http://head.com/red http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=x_fP8slGN4A
Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Other Tennis Stars Put Lots Of Item In Bag, Forget Them, Autograph Bag, Fight AIDS by Matt Rudnitsky | 3:40 pm, May 28th, 2013
Head tennis is partnering up with (RED), and lots of tennis players, “to help fight for an AIDS-free generation by 2015.” All while rhyming, fantastically. They have enlisted tennis stars in their fight, and in advance of the 2013 French Open at Roland Garros, made an entertaining video, because that’s how problems are solved. From beginning to end: Maria Sharapova, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon, Tomas Berdych, Sloane Stephens, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic. Help these nice people do nice things for people in Africa. Click here; there’s lots you can do.
MAY 28, 2013 • NO COMMENTS Hey everyone! Serious business here… The HEAD(red) campaign just came out and I’m super proud to be a part of it! We had so much fun shooting the PSA to raise awareness & money for an AIDS free generation. Sharapova, Murray, Djokavic & I, all participated in this worthy cause. Although we did have a lot of fun shooting the video, I’m very aware of how serious and prominent the disease is. Most of us know a little bit about AIDS, but I learned some scary new info when I started doing more research with the HEAD(red) campaign. AIDS is an awful disease that doesn’t discriminate against who it affects. It knows no race or gender. HIV/AIDS impacts Africa with no regard for age. HIV contributes to between 10% and 28% of all deaths among children under 5 years old. How awful! Did you know that here in the U.S. women count for every 1 out of 4 new cases? I was surprised to learn that African American women and Latinas are affected by HIV more than women of other races/ethnicities.
I’m personally INSPI(red) to tell others how awful this disease is! Remember: 1. Get tested! 2. Know your status! 3. Stay protected! If you guys want to learn more about the HEAD(red) campaign and how to support the cause, click here. Any make sure you watch the video!! xoxo Sloane