PRESS RELEASE
Paris, February 23rd, 2009
LACOSTE BECOMES THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL BRAND TO SUPPORT THE "SAVE YOUR LOGO" CAMPAIGN The brand known for its iconic Crocodile announced today its participation in the “Save Your Logo” campaign, which allows private companies or institutions to contribute in the preservation of biodiversity on the planet by committing to the protection of the animal that represents their logo. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are behind this initiative launched in October 2008. For over 75 years a crocodile has been the LACOSTE logo. Now the brand will actively support projects selected by the GEF to safeguard or protect the endangered crocodile, alligator, caiman or gavial species, whose loss would jeopardize the biological balance of their natural habitats. These action plans will help to conserve biodiversity and fight against the disappearance of these species, some of which are now reduced to just a few individuals: Alligators in China, Gavials or Crocodiles of the Orinoco River in the Amazon. LACOSTE is the international brand the most clearly associated with an animal. The brand’s commitment to the preservation of crocodiles seems natural as this animal is part of LACOSTE’s history and identity. Nicknamed "the Crocodile" because of his tenacity on the courts, René Lacoste, the famous tennis champion, had the idea in the late 1920s, to embroider a crocodile on the shirts he designed, thus creating the first polo shirt ... and the first logo to be visibly displayed on a garment.
For more information on the "Save Your Logo” campaign, you can visit the website: www.saveyourlogo.org
About LACOSTE Relying on its authentic sporting roots, LACOSTE represents today a modern lifestyle, unique and of high quality represented through a wide range of products for men, women and children: sports and leisure apparel, footwear, fragrances, leather goods, eyewear, watches, home textiles and belts. Owner of one of the most worldwide known brands, LACOSTE S.A. has achieved a turnover of 1.557 billion Euros in 2007. In the 112 countries where the brand is present, two LACOSTE products are sold every second through more than 1000 LACOSTE stores, over 2000 corners in department stores and a selective distribution network. LACOSTE is more a style than a brand which has become a symbol of relaxed elegance. For more information, please visit www.lacoste.com. Arnaud Leblin, Corporate Communications Director, Lacoste S.A. Tel. : +33 1 44 58 12 12 Email : aleblin@lacoste.fr Véronique Mauduit-Arlaud, Corporate Communications Manager, Lacoste S.A. Tel. : +33 1 44 58 12 12 Email : vmauduit@lacoste.fr Marie Volkringer, Press Relations Assistant, Lacoste S.A. Tel. : +33 1 44 58 12 12 Email : mvolkringer@lacoste.fr