Columbia teams up with US freestyle ski team
US-based outdoor apparel brand Columbia Sportswear has been named by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) as the official outerwear provider to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team in a partnership that will extend through the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
The relationship will provide Columbia with a global marketing platform for its trademarked Omni-Heat technology as well as a research and development outlet. A key element for Columbia is garnering insight on its products from athletes and coaches, which will help develop and hone the winter line every season. A team of over 40 world-class U.S. Freestyle Ski Team athletes will be wearing Columbia clothing in diverse and challenging situations where clothing performance clearly impacts athletic performance.
"We couldn't be more excited to join forces with the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team," said Tim Boyle, Columbia's president and chief executive officer. "The caliber of the athletes and their creativity and innovation on the slopes make this a perfect fit for our brand. Team feedback will also help us build better performing products. It's a win for the USSA and Columbia, and also for our customers."
Under the terms of the partnership, Columbia will be the exclusive official supplier for outerwear, baselayer and hats for moguls and aerials athletes of the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. The U.S. Freestyle Ski Team has a best in the world legacy, bringing the Columbia brand to International Ski Federation World Cup competitions across a dozen nations from December through March each year.
"Columbia Sportswear is such a highly regarded brand that it immediately resonated with our athletes," said USSA Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer Andrew Judelson. "And in addition to providing performance to our athletes, Columbia will be able to benefit from integration in our growing consumer merchandising outreach."
In addition to outfitting the USSA athletes, network broadcast commentators from NBC Sports and Versus (NBC Sports Network) will wear Columbia jackets during national television broadcasts of freestyle events.
