BW-Bank Meeting
Karlsruhe, Germany
January 31, 2010

Reigning World Indoor Champion, LoLo Jones (Baton Rouge, LA), came back from a 2nd place finish at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow, Scotland the day before to win the 60m Hurdles in a world leading time of 7.90sec.  After the race, Jones said: "It wasn't that bad for me today.  In my heat I took the first three hurdles superb but did not do well on the final ones. Strangely in the final it was just the other way round. My aim during this indoor season is to attack the US record and win gold at the World Indoor Championships."

It was another Jones, however, who stole the show at the first major international invitational in Europe for 2010.  Laverne Jones-Ferrette (Houston, TX), new to the ASICS Team for 2010, ran away from the field in the heats of the 60m crossing the line in 7.09sec, another world best and the fastest time recorded in the world since 2008.  Jones-Ferrette, a native of the US Virgin Islands, lowered her own National Record and is aiming to win a medal at the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar (March 12-14).  "I am getting faster and faster," Jones-Ferrette said. "Let’s see what happens in Düsseldorf on Wednesday. At the World Indoors my first goal will be to reach the final, and then I want to be in contention for a medal."

In other weekend action, Sara Hall (Mammoth Lakes, CA) finished second in a thrilling finish in the Women's Mile at the Millrose Games in New York City.  Hall's time of  4:31.50 was .02 behind the winner.

Irvine, CA (January 7, 2010) –For 2010, ASICS will launch a new global advertising campaign entitled "The Cleansing Power of Sport".  The new campaign is born from the same philosophy from which the brand was founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka.  Onitsuka named the company ASICS, an acronym of the Latin phrase “anima sana in corpore sano,” which means “a sound mind, in a sound body.”  Six decades later, this core philosophy continues to ring true and clearly defines ASICS’ brand promise - that by being active you can achieve a sound mind, in a sound body.

All elements of the campaign focus on the transformative power of running. Burdened by the countless negative influences that weigh us down each day, each runner in the campaign demonstrates how negativity can be cleansed from the mind and body through running.

“We believe this new campaign defines ‘sound mind, sound body’ better than ever before, and will inspire runners of all types,” says Gary Slayton, VP of Marketing, ASICS America Corporation.

As a brand that stands behind the powerful alliance of mind and body, ASICS doesn’t want runners to just run, but feel better about running and all that running delivers.

This video illustrates how you can cleanse the mind, build up the body and purify the soul through the "cleansing power of running".

From The Science Channel's acclaimed TV show "How It's Made" - watch how ASICS custom shoes are made at The Sports Institute in Kobe, Japan. Initially aired October 16, 2009.

www.howitsmade.com

Annual Holiday Fun Run, with Deena Kastor - December 20, 2009

Future Track Running Center in Agoura Hills, CA is honored to have 2004 Olympic Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor join them for this year's Holiday Fun Run on Sunday, December 20th. Deena grew up in Agoura Hills, attended Agoura High School where she was a top high school athlete, coached by Future Track owner Bill Duley.

They welcome Deena back with open arms, and are very thankful that she is willing to take time out of her schedule to take part in this event.

Everything kicks off at 8:30am with a 3-5 mile easy run or walk. If you are interested in running, please RSVP to steve@futuretrackrunning.com.

For more information, visit www.futuretrackrunning.com/events/

ASICS would like to bring to your attention a “Mystery Shopper” scam that is using legitimate corporate logos and names to fraudulently obtain money from you.

A letter is received by a prospective victim of the “Mystery Shopper” scam. Included with the letter is a fraudulent check bearing a legitimate corporation’s name and logo, often with a legitimate account number.

If you were to cash the fraudulent check at a bank where you have an account, several days or weeks later, the check will not clear, putting you at risk for the money. 

This is an alert to anyone who receives these types of letters that the scheme is fraudulent. We urge you to bring the materials to the attention of law enforcement authorities, e.g., your local police or the FBI, particularly if you have lost money.

This is a sample letter from this type of scam (click on picture to enlarge):

Please visit these links for more information:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt151.shtm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/mystery-shopper-scam-6-07/overview/0607_mystery_shopper_scam_ov.htm

http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel09/workathomescams020309.htm

Saturday, November 19, 2009

It was a beautiful day to get out and run! Runners gathered at the ASICS Store NY to begin the second in the series of ASICS Fun Runs. We started with a warm-up in Bryant Park and then ran in Central Park.

We would like to thank Mara Betsch, assistant editor of Health.com, for the group discussions on hydration, nutrition and fueling for workouts.

ASICS Fun Run series continues through December 19th. Thanks to all that have participated!

Irvine, CA (November 4, 2009) - ASICS® America Corporation is proud to announce that the GEL-Kayano® 15 received the International "Shoe of the Year" award from Runner’s World magazine during a special ceremony at the magazine’s 2009 International Shoe Summit. This is the second consecutive year that the GEL-Kayano series has been awarded the top honor, and the fourth time in five years that ASICS has won the International Editor’s Choice award since the award’s inception.

Along with this distinguished honor, ASICS also received two additional awards from Runner’s World, which will be featured in the Winter Shoe Guide (December 2009 issue) on newsstands in the U.S. this week.  The ASICS GT-2150™ accepted the acclaimed "Editor’s Choice" award and the GEL-1150™ took the "Best Buy" award.  These two styles were compared against 15 distinguished pairs of shoes from other leading brands that were tested and reviewed by Runner’s World.

"It is always an honor to be recognized internationally by Runner’s World the leading authority when it comes to critiquing our product, and we are humbled that they have selected ASICS again," exclaims Jim Monahan, ASICS VP of Footwear.

Runner’s World magazine, the worldwide authority on running information, awards one distinguished shoe style each year the prestigious International Editor’s Choice or "Shoe of the Year" award.  The publication noted that the GEL-Kayano® 15 won top honors from global wear testers.  The shoe was selected by a panel of International Runner’s World editors from the 15 countries in which the magazine is published (Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Columbia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands/Belgium, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States).

ASICS GEL-Kayano® 15 will be updated in January 2010 with the GEL-Kayano® 16 retailing for $140.00.  The GT-2150™ is available now at specialty running retailers for $100.00 and the GEL-1150 is also at specialty running shops for $85.00.  Both the GT-2150™ and GEL-1150™ will be widely available on January 1, 2010.

Update (12/27/2009): Available date for the GT-2150™ and GEL-1150™ corrected.

Irvine, CA (November 4, 2009) - ASICS® America Corporation is proud to announce the men’s and women’s version of the GEL-Resolution™ 2 received the highest overall rating of the nine models reviewed in the November/December 2009 issue of Tennis Magazine.

GEL-Resolution™ 2

Men's	Women's

The GEL-Resolution 2 received an 8.4 score out of a possible 10, and earned near-perfect marks for both stability and arch support. The shoes were also scored on cushioning, weight, ventilation, break-in time and overall satisfaction.

The magazine described the style as: "the ultimate shoe for an advanced player with sore feet and those who appreciate comfort right out of the box since the shoe has virtually no break-in time."

The article also points out the shoe has "outstanding support" with features including the Biomorphic Fit® Upper and Personal Heel Fit (PHF®) that helps mold to the athlete’s foot creating a personalized fit with snug heel support. The GEL-Resolution 2 has a Solyte® Midsole to enhance cushioning, a GEL® Cushioning System to attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phase and a PGuard™ Toe Protector for durability.

"We are thrilled with the #1 ranking," says Matt Donnelly, ASICS Product Manager for Team Sports.  "Fit and function are always our first priorities at ASICS and it’s great to be recognized for this."

The ASICS GEL-Resolution 2, which retails for $115, is available in two color ways (white/rain/sun and blue aster/black/lightning) for men and one color (white/cargo/abyss) for women.

Tennis Magazine is geared toward the serious and recreational tennis player, with information on instruction and training, new product and equipment coverage, professional player profiles and highlights of tournaments.

Is it time to replace your favorite running shoes?  Spring 2010 styles are in running specialty stores already, with mass distribution planned for January 1st.  Here is the rundown on some of the most sought after styles.

GEL-Kayano® 16

Cutting-edge technology and high-end components combine as this venerated trainer returns in a bold new edition. Features ASICS new Guidance Line™ for optimal gait, DuoMax® Support System, a re-designed asymmetrical lacing system, and the shock-attenuating Discrete Heel Unit.
View Mens »
View Womens »

GT-2150™

The world's most popular running shoe just keeps getting better. Performance features for 2010 include DuoMax® Support System to enhance stability, Solyte® midsole material, ComforDry™ Sockliner, Space Trusstic System®, and Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®) for gait enhancement.
View Mens »
View Womens »

GEL-1150™

With exceptional fit and comfort that appeals to all types of runners, this popular trainer features a DuraSponge® outsole, lightweight SpEVA® midsole material, the weight-reducing Trusstic System®, and rearfoot and forefoot GEL® Cushioning System.
View Mens »
View Womens »

GEL-DS Trainer® 15

A mainstay in the ASICS performance line features tooling and upper specs that reprise the fit and comfort of the legendary GEL-DS Trainer® 6. Updated with new features like the vaunted Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®), Space Trusstic System®, Propulsion Trusstic®, and asymmetrical lacing.
View Mens »
View Womens »

Ribbon Cutting:

ASICS Store New York was officially opened by a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 22nd.

From left to right: Rich Bourne - President and COO, ASICS America; Kiyoma Wada - Chairman, ASICS Corporation; Nobou Oda - CEO, ASICS America

Store photos:

Press Day:

Press was invited to the store on Thursday to shop and learn more about the Foot ID system featured in the store.

Here's Lucy Danziger, editor-in-chief of SELF Magazine, getting her foot analysis done: http://www.self.com/magazine/blogs/lucysblog/2009/10/shoes-news-i-can-use.html

Lolo Jones Appearance:

ASICS Olympic Hurdler Lolo Jones, was in store on Friday, October 23rd to sign autographs and provide some inspiration to aspiring athletes.  She got a little shopping in too!

Fun Run

Runners gathered in the morning rain for a 5K Fun Run through the damp New York streets on Saturday, Oct. 24th.  The run was lead by Central Park Track Club Head Coach Tony Ruiz.  Thanks to all that attended!