© John Cheng
BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), on behalf of DC Entertainment, and USA Gymnastics announced today that Supergirl, based on the DC Comics’ character, will continue as the title sponsor of the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup for the second consecutive year. Additionally, the existing partnership has expanded to include Supergirl as title sponsor for the entire Supergirl Cup Series. Eighteen invitationals comprise the 2011 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup Series and will determine the gymnasts who will compete in the 2011 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup. Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup benefit the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.
"Last year’s Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup was a huge success, and Supergirl is a great partner for the Cup and the Series," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "The Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup showcases some of our country’s top up-and-coming gymnasts and provides them with a special experience. The combination of Nastia’s involvement and Supergirl makes this a fantastic opportunity for women’s gymnastics."
"We are proud to continue our association with the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup and Series," said Karen McTier, executive vice president of domestic licensing and worldwide marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "Our goal is to support young women who are pursuing their dreams and goals, and we were so impressed with the young women who competed in last year’s Cup. Supergirl celebrates the strength, power and skill of female athletes, and Nastia is the epitome of the integrity and character represented by the Supergirl brand."
"Supergirl does so much to help young women recognize their dreams and achievements," said Liukin, the five-time Olympic medalist and World Champion. "My partnership with USA Gymnastics and the Supergirl brand gives me the opportunity to connect with young girls and talk about the importance of commitment, dedication, sportsmanship and goals in their lives. Meeting with last year’s competitors was an incredible time for me, and I look forward to next year’s event."
The Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup Series features 17 gymnastics invitationals held throughout the United States from mid-January through late February 2011. A minimum of two gymnasts from each invitational will advance to the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup, which will be held on Friday, March 4, in conjunction with the AT&T American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 17 invitationals included in the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup Series are:
- CGA Parents Club Coaches Spectacular, Covington, Ky., Jan. 14-16
- Folger’s New Year Invitational, Wichita, Kan., Jan. 14-16
- Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 14-16
- Macready & Roethlisberger Flip Fest Invitational, Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 14-17
- Circle of Stars Gymnastics Invitational, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 21-23
- Wisconsin Dells Gymnastics Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 28-30
- Metroplex Challenge, Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 29-30
- Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 28-30
- 2011 Rock-n-Roll Classic, Broadview Heights, Ohio, Feb. 4-6
- Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 4-6
- 37th Annual Fiesta Bowl, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 4-6
- IGI Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 11-13
- Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 18-20
- Presidential Classic, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb. 18-20
- Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 18-20
- WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 19-20
- Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Glendale, Ariz., Feb. 19-21
The 2011 Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup will be televised live on Universal Sports. This year’s promotional efforts will range from social media to grassroots initiatives, including gym club visits, coupons, discounts and a sweepstakes. For more information, go to NastiaLiukinSupergirlCup.com.
Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the AT&T American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.
The Supergirl S-shield is universally recognized as an unmatched symbol of strength, leadership and female empowerment, and uniquely embodies the ideals of the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup. This special event, which celebrates the accomplishments of young, rising stars, continues the Supergirl brand’s support of today’s action sports girl and builds on the spirit of the Supergirl Jam, the industry’s only large-scale, all-girls action sports competition.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products recently announced Supergirl by Nastia, the first-ever lifestyle merchandise line of its kind for girls available at a major retailer. Supergirl by Nastia features trend-right, affordable apparel that encourages a message of empowerment, creativity, strength, intelligence and independence—the symbolic attributes of the iconic Supergirl S-Shield. The collection, created for today’s 8-12-year-old girls, is available exclusively at JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) – in stores and on jcp.com.
About Nastia Liukin
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin’s total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin’s medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin is just the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around crown. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including Gossip Girl, Make It or Break it and the feature film, Stick It. She was also chosen as one of 2009’s most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin is considering making a comeback for the 2012 London Olympics and would be coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About DC Comics
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.
About the AT&T American Cup
The 2011 AT&T American Cup, an FIG World Cup event, is one of the most prestigious international invitationals and features an all-around format. The list of former champions comprises some of the sport’s best-known names, including Nastia Liukin, Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton and Peter Vidmar. For more information, go to www.usagym.org/attamericancup.
About JCPenney
JCPenney is one of America’s leading retailers, operating 1,110 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation’s largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company’s commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $17.6 billion in 2009 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney’s "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company’s approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney. For more information visit www.jcpenney.net