Jan 31, 2005
OAKBROOK Ill., January 31, 2005 - Is your autograph worth $1 million?
Today, Sharpie brings the autograph experience to life, announcing a
nationwide search for one million autographs in exchange for $1 million in
school supplies and funds. The campaign, called Sharpie Retractable
"Autographs For Education," enlists celebrities and professional athletes
to inspire everyone to put their mark on education -- benefiting students,
teachers, schools and community-based education organizations across the
country.
Sharpie, the popular brand of permanent markers widely known as the
autograph pen of choice, is teaming up with NFL Hall of Famer and Emmy
Award-Winning Broadcaster Howie Long for a super-sized program launch in
Jacksonville, Fla. Long will kick off the "Autographs For Education"
program prior to football's biggest game with a public appeal for
signatures, as well as being the first to put his "official" autograph
on Sharpie's quest for one million. Additionally, he will spread the
word about how schools can vie for $25,000 worth of school supplies and
how individuals can contend for $150,000 in college scholarships.
"I'm a father, so I know how children, teachers and parents need to have
the right tools to make the most of their education," Long said. "Many
schools lack even the most basic school supplies and parents are
struggling to save for their children's future. Today I'm asking
everyone for their help - with a simple click of a Sharpie marker and a
signature, we'll score a million in no time."
Throughout the year, professional athletes and celebrities will rally
together with Sharpie to host special assemblies across the country.
The 10-city tour will feature one-on-one interactions between students,
teachers, parents and their heroes, giving them a chance to meet the
personalities up close, as well as providing signatures on
custom-designed, oversized autograph walls in exchange for school
supplies and funds, thanks to Sharpie.
Sharpie Retractable Autographs for Education - Add One
"The Sharpie Retractable "Autographs For Education" program is the most
comprehensive community effort in the brand's more than 40-year
history," said Rory Leyden, president of Sharpie. "Although we have
executed this program on a local level since 2003, we've broadened its
reach this year in terms of the dollar amount donated and the addition
of college scholarships. We're certain we'll reach the million mark for
autographs because of partners like Howie Long, as well as the
mainstream support for the industry's most popular permanent marker."
Pro Athletes and Kids Show "Signature Moves" at the Sharpie
Retractable Clinic
Prior to football's biggest day of the year, several current
professional football players will contribute to the Autographs for
Education campaign in Jacksonville by leading the Sharpie Retractable
"Signature Moves" Clinic for kids. Athletes include Pittsburgh wide
receiver Hines Ward, Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver and Kansas
City tight end Tony Gonzalez. The players will have some fun with
students from Jacksonville's Duval Community School District,
demonstrating signature end-zone celebrations like "The T.O.," the
"Lambeau Leap" and the "End Zone Dunk."
The clinic will be held at Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History
today, to add momentum to the signature collection efforts and benefit
the students. The athletes will ask each participating student for his
or her autograph on an oversized autograph wall. In exchange, Sharpie
will make a donation to Jacksonville's participating schools.
"After this kickoff, we'll visit hundreds of cities across America,"
Leyden said. "We're fortunate to have a number of high-profile
personalities who will visit schools in a select number of these
cities. Their goal will be to motivate the students, faculty and
parents, ask for autographs and, most importantly, deliver thousands of
dollars worth of school supplies and funds."
Sharpie Leaves its Signature on Schools and the Community -
Autographs in Action
Sharpie Retractable's commitment to Autographs for Education includes
resources for teachers and fun for students online. From school
supplies and scholarships to lesson plans and a virtual autograph wall,
more information can be found on the Sharpie Web site, www.sharpie.com.
In the community, Sharpie's Autographs for Education tour will
criss-cross the country in a fleet of Sharpie-branded all-terrain
vehicles throughout 2005, stopping at local festivals and special
events. The vehicles feature interactive games, product sampling
opportunities, and official entry forms for the signature collection
effort. Complete sweepstakes rules and entry methods can be found at
retailers nationwide and at www.sharpie.com
Sharpie Retractable Autographs for Education - Add Two
Inspired after a Sharpie marker was featured in a high-profile and
somewhat controversial touchdown celebration in 2002, Sharpie's
Autographs for Education program has been bringing motivation, funds and
school supplies to students, teachers and parents for two years.
Since its inception, Sharpie Autographs for Education athletes have
included Philadelphia's Terrell Owens, Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, Green
Bay's Donald Driver, Seattle's Grant Wistrom, Denver's Rod Smith, and
Cleveland's Andre Davis, among others.
About Sharpie Retractable
With a retractable writing tip and no caps to lose, Sharpie markers are
now easier and more convenient to use. Sharpie Retractable is available
in eight colors: black, red, blue, green, orange, berry, lime and
turquoise. The suggested retail price for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-packs are
$4.89, $7.33, $9.78, and $19.56, respectively. Available at office
supply stores and other retailers nationwide, Sharpie Retractable joins
other significant writing innovations that target a wide range of
enthusiasts from the hobbyist to the do-it-yourselfer.
About Sanford®, Makers of Sharpie®
For more than 40 years, Sharpie is the popular brand of permanent
markers long-associated with the autograph experience. Sanford, maker
of Sharpie, is a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL), a
worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing
instruments, art products and office organization, including such well
known brands as Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO®,
Foohy®, uni-ball®, and Rolodex®, among others. Sanford makes more than
6,000 products, ranging from markers, pens and pencils to professional
art products, fine writing instruments and office organization products.
Visit sharpie.com or sanfordcorp.com for more information.
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