adidas, Candace Parker, and the "Me, Myself" Contest

Here is a contest that I was alerted to yesterday that I thought I would share with everyone. Candace Parker has become one of the most recognizable names in women's sports and has teamed up with adidas for a new contest. Below is the full press release:


ADIDAS AND CANDACE PARKER EMPOWER FEMALE ATHLETES TO SHARE PERSONAL STORIES IN “ME, MYSELF” TRAINING CONTEST

Contest searches for three real women to be featured alongside WNBA MVP in new campaign

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 26, 2009) – adidas announced today that starting February 1 it will host an enter-to-win promotion encouraging women to share their real stories about training struggles and successes. Three entrants whose inspiring stories receive the most votes will star in the new women’s ‘Me, Myself’ campaign alongside adidas basketball star Candace Parker.

“adidas presented this project early on and it really hit home for me. It was a determining factor in my decision to join the adidas family,” said Parker. “It celebrates women of all ages and athletic abilities and shows that despite our struggles we can achieve our impossible.”

This distinctive and inspirational new women’s imagery celebrates individuality, confidence, and motivation through a series of intimate portraits depicting women during key moments in their fitness routines and daily lives. The campaign features real women alongside Parker, 2008 WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year, and throughout the month of February, consumers are invited to become the New Face of the ‘Me, Myself’ campaign:

* Consumers can place their photo in the ‘Me, Myself’ campaign creative and share their stories and sources of inspiration both in-store and online.
* Participants can invite friends and family to vote for them via an online widget compatible with Facebook and other networking sites.
* The three entrants whose stories are chosen will take part in a professional photo shoot with Parker in the spring and images from the shoot will be used in ‘Me, Myself’ in-store and online.
* Contest retail partners include adidas Sport Performance stores, shopadidas.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Hibbett Sports, Sports Chalet and Scheel’s stores across the US, as well as Paragon Sports in NYC.

“Our goal was to create a contest that not only celebrates women’s achievements but allows all participants to learn from each other’s stories,” said Britt Jorgenson, US brand marketing director, adidas sport performance. “Candace is coming off a remarkable year; she won Gold in Beijing, took home the Rookie of the Year award, and was selected MVP of the WNBA. Her inspirational story lends itself perfectly to this campaign and we hope it encourages women to share their personal successes and triumphs.”

The ‘Me, Myself’ campaign also includes the launch of the new adidas women’s site which will be home to an innovative styling tool that allows users to create and personalize their own color palette so they can mix and match outfits while browsing through the key styles and products featured in the new adidas women’s collection.

Check out the contest and let me know if you enter!