Skechers USA, Inc. is launching a series of Shape-ups fitness footwear television spots starring NBA basketball legend Karl Malone along with guest star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The company said the spots will spearhead a worldwide Shape-ups “comeback” campaign for Malone, who will appear in the company's print advertisements, visuals and marketing collateral through 2011.
“To everyone who's too busy to work out, you're out of excuses,” said Malone.
“We're so proud to see Shape-ups embraced by the greatest sports icons — and the incredible reactions that so many consumers are having to our product,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “To have not one but two basketball legends endorsing Shape-ups is a tremendous honor — and, we believe, a terrific way to expose more sports fans, fitness-minded consumers, and new customers to the benefits of Shape-ups.”
The “comeback” spots, which show Malone sharing the benefits of Shape-ups, launched nationwide on major networks beginning Oct. 19, during the Major League Baseball NLCS (National League Championship Series).
An NBA two-time MVP and one of the sport's greatest power forwards, Malone scored the second most points (36,928) in NBA history as a star player for Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers. He trails only fellow Lakers player Abdul-Jabbar, who is regarded as one of the best players of all time with 38,387 points and six NBA championship titles.
The Malone/Abdul-Jabbar launch follows the company's Shape-ups “Comeback” multimedia campaign featuring Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, which is appearing worldwide through 2010.
