Converse and Hummer Team Up to Produce Unrivaled, Rugged Footwear
5 January 1999
Converse and Hummer Team Up to Produce Unrivaled, Rugged Footwear
NORTH READING, Mass.--Jan. 5, 1999--Converse Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales James E. Solomon announced today that the Company has signed a multi-year global licensing agreement with the AM General Corporation of South Bend, Ind., to produce a line of Hummer footwear. The Humvee is the ultimate all-terrain sports utility vehicle that gained recognition during the Gulf War. Today, the civilian version, Hummer can be seen in many major motion pictures and TV programs and is often the vehicle of choice by many celebrities as well as serious off-roaders. The line of footwear will be positioned and designed to match the unparalleled performance qualities of adventure, confidence, and empowerment that the Hummer vehicle represents. The shoes will be available in June 2000.
"Converse is excited to produce an exclusive line of footwear bearing the Hummer name," said Solomon. "Hummer consumers are prepared for anything the world throws in their way and this new line of footwear will be built for extreme situations and to tackle any obstacle." The Hummer footwear line will be available at various retail stores including department stores, specialty footwear stores and sporting goods stores.
Lee Woodward, Manager, Marketing Communications, AM General Corporation, stated, "The Hummer experience is like no other on earth. It looks like nothing else, feels like nothing else, and performs like nothing else. The new Hummer footwear will embody the same unique qualities."
"Hummer and Converse are a perfect fit," said Jay Asher, Vice President of the Beanstalk Group, the licensing agency that represents Hummer and which brought Hummer and Converse together. "Both names read high energy, durability, and excitement. The unique Hummer styling coupled with Converse quality will speak to consumers worldwide."
The AM General Corporation and its predecessor companies have been a leader in the design and manufacture of light- and medium-duty trucks for the military for more than 50 years. Since 1992, the company has sold Hummers commercially to industrial and retail customers through a comprehensive worldwide network of dealers.
Converse is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality athletic footwear for men, women and children. The Company is also a global licensor of sports apparel, accessories and selected footwear. The Company's products are distributed in over 90 countries to approximately 9,000 customers that include specialty athletic, sporting goods, department and shoe stores.