IZOD AND INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP: IN PURSUIT OF FAST 100 YEARS OF INDY RACING, FASHION AND DESIGN-A DAY OF CELEBRATION IN SOUTH BEACH

Michael Kelly, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Phillips-Van Heusen-IZOD Corporation, discussed with us the new orientation of the sponsorship with the Indycar Racing and specially as the primary sponsor of the car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay.

TS: Can you explain us how Phillips-Van Heusen-IZOD get involved as a major sponsor in the Indycar race becoming the official apparel of the Indycar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Firestone Indy Lights?

MK: It started last year with the Indy Racing League meeting with us to study a sponsorship, it is a great opportunity for our brand to work on new performance product and partnered with one of the most important American race, performance is needed on and off the track with the best products. We are also thrilled to expand our work with Ryan Hunter-Reay he is a great driver and a 2008 Indy 500 Rookie-of-the-Year.

TS: This is a major involvment with a major US sports league!

MK: IZOD has a long experience in sport, Phillips-Van Heusen-IZOD Corporation has been working on products for golf, swimwear, luxury sports line…for quite a while now, we create technical and performance fabricated performance sportswear with our Izod PerformX line.

We also have a sports and entertainment center the IZOD Center in New Jersey where a lots of sports events took place outside of New-York City the company has an important knowledge working with and for athletes.

TS: A lot of people today on the beach to enjoy the match and watch the drivers, how do you explain such an important audience

MK: People and a lot of kids of course enjoy being around the drivers and watch the races, drivers have dangerous lives in an incredible sport that requires both mental and physical high qualities, you cannot afford any mistake at such a speed, their serious training and commitement make them role model.

They live and race fast, they are sexy, young and fast this is also perfect for Miami Beach, it is another good reason for the brand to be here on the beach and share our passion.

We also have decided to work for the Ocean Life Guards and Rescuers, other great people in Miami Beach, they have received a new clothing line from our company to wear at the beach, and we are very proud about that.

TS: What is your marketing plan for your sponsorship in the Indycar Racing

MK: It is an important investment for our company, it started with different events like in New-York at Macy’s Herald Square with the launch of an historic exhibit for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Speedway: - In Pursuit of FAST: 100 Years of Indy racing, Fashion and Design where the 33-driver Indy 500 lined up for their annual photo; we are going to launch also an important TV campaign and we will keep up doing a lot of interesting things.

It is thrilling to see the IZOD brand being driven by those young drivers representing a new generation on the race tracks and in the INDYcar Series.