Journeys Announced as Presenting Sponsor of the Vans Warped Tour

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 18, 2014) - Officials with the Vans Warped Tour announced today that Nashville-based teen specialty retailer Journeys has signed on as the presenting sponsor for its 2014 20^th anniversary tour, as part of a three-year partnership. The new endeavor will include multiple levels of on-site activation and branding initiatives, including the "Journeys Stage," which will showcase popular bands such as Echosmith, Real Friends, Issues and SECRETS.

"Music has always been an integral part of connecting our core consumer to the Journeys brand in a very emotional and authentic way," said Kari Irons, senior vice president of marketing for The Journeys Group. "This tour gives Journeys the opportunity to share a lasting, memorable experience with our consumers and employees in an environment that captures the spirit of youth culture."

"By signing a three-year deal to be the presenting sponsor of the Vans Warped Tour, we are able to build a long-term music strategy that aligns perfectly with one of our top brand partners, Vans," said Jim Estepa, president and chief executive officer of the Journeys Group. "We plan to bring this tour to life across all of our channels and celebrate the partnership with both our consumers and employees through special on-site, digital and in-store activations."

In conjunction with its sponsorship of the tour, Journeys will also promote the Vans Warped Tour in more than 800 stores across the U.S. and Canada, including tour-specific point-of-purchase signage and exclusive content for the in-store Journeys TV network.

"We are excited that Journeys is joining the Vans Warped Tour family. Journeys is the perfect retail partner, and with so many stores across North America, we are able to put the Tour in front of many young customers," said Steve Van Doren, Vans vice president. "Together we can share our passion for music and kick off the third decade of the Vans Warped Tour in style."

"Having a cutting-edge lifestyle brand like Journeys pair up with the Vans Warped Tour could not be a more perfect fit. Journeys is among the world's top retailers dedicated to teens, and the Vans Warped Tour is the premier music festival for teens," said Kevin Lyman, Vans Warped Tour founder. "Through this partnership, we look forward to bringing our fans exciting programs and opportunities this year and into the future."

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Vans Warped Tour, visit www.vanswarpedtour.com.

About Journeys:
Journeys is a leader in the teen specialty retail scene, with more than 800 stores in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Journeys uses fashion savvy and merchandising science to keep in step with the fast-paced footwear and accessories market for 13- to 22-year-old guys and girls. Journeys offers a wide variety of trendy, relevant brands that cater to teens who seek the hottest, new styles. The Journeys store is more than a retail environment; it's an extension of the teen lifestyle. From the plasma TVs playing exclusive content and the latest music videos, to the visual merchandising strategy and promotions, to the employees whose image and style reflect the customers' lifestyle and attitude. In addition, Journeys reaches its customers through www.journeys.com, a mobile website, catalog, national advertising, strategic cross-promotions, social media and grass-roots events like The Journeys Noise Tour. Journeys is, in every way, an attitude you can wear! Journeys is a division of Genesco, Inc.

About Vans Warped Tour:
The VANS WARPED TOUR® is well established as America's premiere music and lifestyle festival of the summer, breaking up-and-coming indie talent as well as both creating and showcasing major established artists since 1995. The nationally-renowned festival is the most eclectic traveling tour and features a diverse array of artists--with hotly tipped acts in every genre from punk, metal and indie to rock, hip-hop, rap, electronic, reggae and pop; as well as a variety of lifestyle attractions for its traditionally low ticket price. The tour has cemented its place in history by bringing punk rock/skate/action sports culture from the underground to the forefront of global youth culture, while at the same time helping those in need and being the first tour to consistently use groundbreaking environmental concepts every year on the road. The Warped Eco Initiatives (WEI) focus on making the tour more environmentally friendly whether it is through eco conscious catering for the artists and crew courtesy of Tada Catering or a solar-powered sound system on the Kevin Says Stage. Further, www.vanswarpedtour.com even showcases public transportation options for every tour date and carpool social media apps as well as exotic eco travel contests. For more information on the tour that Alternative Press readers voted the "Best Tour/Festival" of 2009/2010 and Rolling Stone called "America's most successful festival" (2005) go to: www.vanswarpedtour.com. Now in its 20th year, the 42-date tour will commence June 13 in Houston, TX and end on August 3 in Denver, CO.