FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., June 5, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Oakley, Inc. (NYSE:OO) today announced the release of two special edition Lance Armstrong sunglass designs that will help support the charity efforts of the venerated athlete. With each sale of the new Oakley LIVESTRONG(tm) RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) renditions, the company will provide $20 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation in support of its ongoing mission to inspire and empower people affected by cancer.
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"For nearly 20 years, Oakley has been there for me, on and off the bike," commented Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, seven-time Tour de France champion. "Now, together with the company's support and those who appreciate the performance of its eyewear technologies, we can help make a difference to millions of those who are living with cancer."
"We are honored to assist Lance in such a noble cause," said Colin Baden, president, Oakley, Inc. "Having battled cancer and gone on to win the Tour de France seven consecutive times, Lance is the ultimate survivor and an icon of hope for the millions who are currently living with, through or beyond cancer."
To create the LIVESTRONG(tm) special editions, Oakley chose two of its most technically advanced sport performance sunglasses: the single-lens sport shield known as RADAR(tm) and the dual-lens eyewear called FLAK JACKET(tm). Design features include Jet Black frames with accents of yellow in select components, a salute to the logo colors of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Additionally, "LIVESTRONG" is laser etched near the bottom of the lens and a specially tagged Microclear(tm) bag for cleaning and storage is included in the custom packaging.
The LIVESTRONG(tm) special editions of Oakley RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) feature Oakley's High Definition Optics(r) (HDO(r)) which offers unbeatable optical clarity. Oakley's permanent Hydrophobic lens coating resists smudges and repels water, oils and dust. Two nose-pad options (included) and interchangeable lens designs (additional lenses are optional) allow the wearer to adapt to any sport environment by providing a customizable fit. Augmented with Black Iridium(r) lens coating to optimize color recognition while balancing transmission in bright light, the semi-rimless lenses offer an unobstructed view that curves around the eyes to maximized peripheral vision with the clarity of patented XYZ Optics(r). The first 2,000 pieces of each LIVESTRONG(tm) special edition RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) will be serialized.
About Lance Armstrong Foundation
Located in Austin, Texas, the Lance Armstrong Foundation empowers and inspires those who are living with cancer. The foundation is resolved in its belief that in the battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. In the words of its namesake, "I intend to do everything I can to make this an issue our nation's decision makers can't ignore. Whether talking with members of Congress or traveling the country to meet with survivors and leading cancer experts - I am dedicating myself to this cause," said cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.
Forced off his bike in 1996 by excruciating pain, Lance was diagnosed with testicular cancer that eventually spread to his lungs and brain. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy that eroded his muscles and gave him permanent kidney damage. Refusing to quit and ignoring the slim odds of survival given by doctors, Lance gradually rebuilt his body and went on to win the Tour de France seven years in a row.
Visit www.livestrong.org for more information on the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Go to www.oakley.com/livestrong for additional information on Oakley's RADAR(tm) and FLAK JACKET(tm) performance eyewear.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley is a global leader in sport performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles, and prescription eyewear. Headquartered in Southern California, the company's optics brand portfolio includes Dragon, Eye Safety Systems, Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oliver Peoples, and Paul Smith Spectacles. In addition to its global wholesale business, the company operates retail chains including Bright Eyes, Oakley Stores, Sunglass Icon and The Optical Shop of Aspen. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.
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Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. All statements in this press release, other than those that are purely historical, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "expect," "believe," "plan," "intend," "seek," "anticipate," "outlook," "estimate," "assume," "project," "target," "could," "will," "should," "may," and "continue," as well as variations of such words and similar expressions, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding product, retail and brand initiatives, marketing efforts, upcoming product releases, operational improvements, on-time apparel deliveries, responsiveness to retailers and consumers and the ability to drive consistent, profitable growth. The company's expectations, beliefs, anticipations, objectives, intentions, plans and strategies regarding the future are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, and actual events that occur, to differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the highly competitive markets for our products and our ability to develop innovative new products and introduce them in a timely manner; consumer acceptance of our new products and our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences; order and demand uncertainty; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; intellectual property infringement claims by others and our ability to protect our intellectual property; our dependence on key suppliers for materials we use in our products, including lens blanks; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our operations; our dependence on athletes and personalities for the endorsement of our products; and risks associated with our international operations, including foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and the impact of quotas, tariffs, or other restrictions on the importation or exportation of our products. Risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those set forth in any forward-looking statement are discussed in more detail under "Risk Factors," "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as well as similar disclosures in the company's subsequent SEC filings. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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