Mizuno USA, Inc., announced today that the company has named McKinney, Durham, NC, as their new advertising agency of record. McKinney will provide integrated branding communications solutions, including print, collateral, direct, point of sale, and online advertising. McKinney joins Leader Enterprises, Mizuno USA’s public relations and digital agency, in supporting the Mizuno Brand in North America.
Through the first half of 2011, Mizuno USA’s revenue was up 10.8%, following a record performance in 2010, when the company achieved record revenue and profit since operations started in 1982. The business enjoyed a consistent uptick in performance across each of its core product divisions, including golf, running, baseball, softball and volleyball footwear, equipment, and apparel. Also n 2011, Mizuno USA completed the company initiative of fully staffing their Brand Marketing Department, including dedicated Brand Marketing Managers across the three divisions of golf, running, and diamond sports, a Social Media Manager, an e-Marketing Manager, and a Consumer Insights Manager.
Mizuno launched and successfully executed three fully integrated marketing campaigns in 2011, including the JPX Swing to Win Challenge national sweepstakes for the launch of the JPX-800 irons, a UGC contest around the high performance Wave Prophecy running shoe, and the "A Brilliant Run" campaign utilizing Albert Einstein for the 15th anniversary of the Wave Rider, Mizuno’s franchise model. Mizuno USA also introduced a new website that has nearly doubled traffic compared to 2010 web metrics. Additionally, Facebook community pages across the various sports have resulted in nearly 100,000 fans.
"We are pleased to welcome McKinney as our new partner in supporting the Mizuno Brand," said Bob Puccini, President Mizuno USA, Inc., Chairman, Mizuno Canada, Ltd., and Director of Mizuno Corporation. "McKinney has demonstrated that they have tremendous experience with consumer products and specifically in the category of sporting goods. Their innovative thinking and creative strategies truly embody the "Never Settle" spirit that Mizuno embodies."
"Mizuno is known and loved by the most passionate athletes constantly seeking an edge," said McKinney President Jeff Jones. "That drive is exactly what excites McKinney, too, and we look forward to bringing Mizuno innovative, big ideas that move athletes to perform at their very best."
About McKinney
McKinney is an independent advertising agency focused on game-changing ideas that make extraordinary things happen. Founded in 1969, the Durham, NC-based agency’s clients include, Gold’s Gym, Ruby Tuesday, GNC, Meijer, Big Boss Brewing, Lenovo, Nationwide Insurance, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, CenturyLink, Sherwin-Williams, Brown-Forman Corporation and Zenph Sound Innovations.
About Mizuno USA
Mizuno USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuno Corporation, one of the largest specialty sporting goods manufacturers in the world. Mizuno USA, Inc. manufactures and distributes golf, baseball, softball, running, track & field, and volleyball equipment, apparel, and footwear for North America. Mizuno USA, Inc. is based in Norcross, Georgia.
