1991 - 1997
The popularity of Sharpie markers continues to soar in the 1990's due in part to the $5 billion memorabilia industry. Autograph seekers and celebrities alike use Sharpie markers on everything from posters and trading cards to balls and jerseys.
1997 - 2002
Over this six-year stretch, five different Sharpie markers make debuts. Sharpie markers are also introduced in a variety of new colors, including Aqua, Berry, Turquoise and Lime. By the end of 2002, over 200 million Sharpie markers have been produced, enough for approximately two Sharpie markers for every household in America! Sharpie gains added notoriety with its successful advertising and marketing campaigns. Sharpie jumps into sports marketing by sponsoring PGA golfers Arnold Palmer, David Toms, Chad Campbell and Gary Player. Sharpie becomes the title sponsor of NASCAR®'s most popular event, the Sharpie 500, as well as sponsoring NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Kurt Busch. Terrell Owens and Sharpie score a touchdown -- an unexpected, now famous end-zone celebration in 2001 results in approximately $5 million in publicity.
2002 - 2005
New Sharpie products really gain momentum during this time with the launch of 6 new Sharpie product lines, and the introduction of 12 more colors, bringing the spectrum of Sharpie to 24 bold colors! An American icon celebrates 40 years...Sharpie celebrates its major milestone by teaming up with Kurt Busch and renaming the home of Sharpie - Shelbyville, Tenn., to Sharpieville USA for the day in March and working with athletes and celebrities in the kick-off of "Autographs for Education", a program where Sharpie teams up with sports figures to support community-based educational organizations. Only the most trusted highlighter deserves the most recognized name in marking. Accent Highlighters are repositioned under the Sharpie name.