Sperry Top-Sider® Joins Sportfishing Trade Association

Nautical lifestyle brand expands its efforts on conservation in water-related sports.

Lexington, Mass. (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- Sperry Top-Sider's®continued support of and expanding presence into the fishing market has led the brand to become a member of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the sportfishing industry's trade assocation, in 2008.

"Joining the ASA demonstrates Sperry Top-Sider's continued support of anglers as well as the environment in which the sport takes place," said Karen Pitts, vice president, marketing, Sperry Top-Sider. "Our membership has allowed us to expand our reach into the fishing community by promoting the conservation values of the avid sportsmen we outfit, as well as support fishing's recreational and competitve culture by sponsoring fishing tournaments and tours."

"On behalf of our Board of Directors, members and staff, we welcome Sperry Top-Sider to ASA," said association President and CEO Mike Nussman. "We thank them for their commitment to the sportfishing industry and look forward to their active involmvent and continued support."

ASA unites members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, outdoor journalists and federal land and water management agencies to protect and promote sportfishing.

In addition to supporting ASA through its membership, Sperry Top-Sider is the corporate partner of Oceana, an international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world's oceans. For more information, visit www.oceana.org.

For more information about ASA, visit www.asafishing.org; for more information on Sperry Top-Sider's other partnerships visit the Sponsorhips page at www.sperrytopsider.com.

About Sperry Top-Sider
Since 1935, Sperry Top-Sider has been the leading brand of footwear for those who love the water. From its introduction of the world's first siped rubber outsole for non-marking traction, to advanced technical fabrication to combat the elements, Sperry Top-Sider remains the vanguard of high-performance amphibious footwear and apparel. Available around the globe in fine independent, marine, outdoor and department stores, Sperry Top-Sider is the official footwear of the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas, US SAILING, National Safe Boating Council and Team Seven Sailing.

Based in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, Sperry Top-Sider supports a wide-range of water-related activities through its many sponsorships, including ACURA Key West, National Safe Boating Council and Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. Sperry Top-Sider is a division of the Stride Rite Corporation, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE:PSS). For more information, please visit www.sperrytopsider.com.

About the American Sportfishing Association
The American Sportfishing Association(ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America's 40 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for over one million people.

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