NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2008--Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:
ARO), a mall-based specialty retailer of casual and active apparel for
young women and men, announced its' Teens for Jeans campaign with teen
not-for-profit organization Do Something. The campaign will raise
awareness on the growing number of homeless teens in the United States
and Canada. By utilizing Aeropostale's 800 plus stores and engaging
their core consumer, young men and women, Aeropostale and Do Something
aim to collect more than 100,000 pairs of donated jeans.
"The teen homelessness statistics are real and they are
staggering," says Scott Birnbaum, Senior Vice President of Marketing
at Aeropostale. "As a teenage brand, we are committed to causes that
are relevant to our customers. With our resources and Do Something's
power of engaging today's youth, Teens for Jeans is going to impact a
lot of lives."
Helping to raise awareness and fight teen homelessness are actors
Rachel Bilson (The O.C.) and Hayden Christensen (Star Wars Episodes II
and III). The actors recently filmed a Public Service Announcement for
the campaign, which was directed by Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The
Bourne Identity, Swingers). The actors are also starring in the highly
anticipated upcoming film, Jumper due out in February, also directed
by Liman. The PSA will air on CBS, ESPN, BRAVO, CH1 and on-line on
various teen social network sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
"Right now, one in three homeless people in America are under the
age of eighteen. So do something. Clear out your closet," said Bilson.
"They're ordinary people like you and me, living extraordinarily
difficult lives. So, support the Teens for Jeans campaign," said
Christensen.
Starting Tuesday, January 22, 2008 until Sunday, February 10,
2008, people are encouraged to bring in any brand of their gently worn
jeans to any Aeropostale store in the U.S. and Canada. Aeropostale and
Do Something will make sure the jeans get donated to a local teen
shelter or charity. Over five hundred local beneficiary organizations
have been selected. To say thanks to those who donate, Aeropostale
will give an additional 20% off a new pair of jeans.
"We are not asking for money. We're not selling them something.
We're asking teens to give something they love to someone else who
needs it," said Nancy Lublin, CEO of Do Something.
Aeropostale will kick off the initiative by donating 10,000 pairs
of new Aeropostale jeans as a company to the cause. "Aeropostale is an
organization that cares about people - our great associates, our loyal
customers and the supportive communities we serve. We are proud to be
actively involved in the Teens for Jeans campaign," says Birnbaum.
To learn how to get involved, and for more information about Teens
for Jeans, go to www.aeropostale.com or www.dosomething.org.
About Aeropostale, Inc.
Aeropostale, Inc. is a mall-based, specialty retailer of casual
apparel and accessories, principally targeting 14 to 17 year-old young
women and men. The company provides customers with a focused selection
of high-quality, active-oriented, fashion and fashion basic
merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale maintains control over
its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing and selling
all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale products are currently
purchased only in its stores, on-line through its e-commerce website
(www.aeropostale.com) or at organized sales events at college
campuses.
The Company currently operates 801 Aeropostale stores in 47
states, 12 Aeropostale stores in Canada and 14 Jimmy'Z stores in 11
states.
About Do Something
Do Something makes it possible for teens to change the world. It
is a trusted resource for teenagers who want to make a difference. By
leveraging communications technologies, we enable teens to convert
their energy and ideas into positive action. You want to make a
difference? We can help. We don't require adults, mentors, advisors,
etc. because we believe in the power of teens to lead right now.
Listen up, speak out, and take action at www.dosomething.org.
SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM
TIME TO TIME BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN
"FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE
OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES, STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS.
ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN THE
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL
RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, CHANGES IN THE COMPETITIVE
MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING
CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS, CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS
LEADING TO A REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING;
SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL,
ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT OF
CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNCERTAINTY
RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS GROWTH STRATEGIES,
AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K
AND QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR
REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
CONTACT: Aeropostale, Inc.
Kenneth Ohashi, 646-452-1876
VP, Investor & Media Relations
or
Quinn Solomon, 646-452-1820
Manager, Public Relations
or
Media:
Financial Dynamics
Cara O'Brien/Leigh Parrish
212-850-5600
SOURCE: Aeropostale, Inc.
