HERSHEY, Pa., March 7, 2016 – The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) and its flagship brand, Hershey’s, today announced its two-year partnership with USA Gymnastics as the exclusive confectionery sponsor through 2017. Hershey also proudly welcomed Shannon Miller, the most decorated American gymnast in history and two-time Olympic gold medalist, to be a part of the Hershey family and serve as a brand ambassador through the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The relationship with the Olympic sport’s U.S national governing body and the gymnastics legend is effective immediately.
As an official sponsor of USA Gymnastics, Hershey’s, America’s iconic chocolate bar, will bring moments of goodness and patriotic pride to consumers, athletes and fans while elevating the passion for the sport nationwide. Hershey’s will be the presenting sponsor of 2016 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships and serve as a key sponsor of the 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions, conducted by USA Gymnastics following the 2016 Olympic Games.
“Hershey’s is honored and proud to partner with USA Gymnastics and work with the legendary Shannon Miller and its all-star athletes to promote this beloved sport and connect with all the passionate fans across the country,” said Stacie Stauffer, Senior Brand Manager, Hershey’s. “Through our partnership, we will continue to celebrate our commitment to the sport, Team USA and the Olympic Movement.”
“We are proud to welcome the iconic Hershey brand to the USA Gymnastics partner family,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The Hershey Company will play an integral role in helping us connect with fans and bring them closer to the U.S. Gymnastics National Team while our athletes compete during the Countdown to Rio and beyond.”
Through the USA Gymnastics partnership, the Hershey’s brand will have the ability to continue to spread the news of their new campaign, “Hello Happy. Hello Hershey’s,” that debuted in early February 2016. The new campaign will integrate Hershey’s partnerships with USA Gymnastics, Miller and the United States Olympic Committee through several special events, activities and media opportunities.
“Competing at the Olympic Games was a dream come true, and I am proud to have the opportunity to work with Hershey, a company that epitomizes the American dream," said 7-time Olympic medalist and gymnastics icon Shannon Miller. “Together, we can spread a passion for the sport and celebrate our patriotic pride with athletes, fans and consumers around the country.”
The announcement builds off an exciting win: The Hershey Company has joined forces with the United States Olympic Committee, and will support the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams through the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Through this partnership, The Hershey Company will serve as an official sponsor of Team USA.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 21,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.
At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through ‘Nourishing Minds,’ a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.
Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com
About USA Gymnastics
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, and group gymnastics (known internationally as Gymnastics for All). For more information, log on to www.usagym.org.
About Shannon Miller
Shannon Miller remains the Most Decorated Gymnast in American History with 7 Olympic medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze) and is the only female athlete to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame – Twice! [Individual (2006) and Team (2008)]. Shannon earned her undergraduate degrees in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and her law degree from Boston College. She is now President of Shannon Miller Enterprises, which is focused on women’s health and fitness. Shannon remains involved with the sport of gymnastics and the Olympics as a commentator and analyst. Shannon resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and two children. For more information, please visit www.shannonmiller.com.