Stride Rite® Gets Kids Ready For A Blockbuster Summer

LEXINGTON, Mass., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stride Rite Children's Group (SRCG) brings blockbuster summer movie excitement to kids with the all-new X-celeRacers™ by Stride Rite® Marvel collection. Premiering at locations where Stride Rite shoes are sold, X-celeRacers inspires kids to be super -- to the Power of X -- with styles featuring their favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Iron Man, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56014-stride-rite-kids-x-celeracers-marvel-collection-power-of-x-imagination

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The new X-celeRacers sneaker features an X-tra fast strap with an adjustable closure for X-traordinary fit, X-Grip with a grooved outsole for X-treme traction, X-tra Flex with a lightweight outsole for X-ceptional agility and X-treme lightweight cushioning for comfort.

Stride Rite is getting the word out through an integrated marketing campaign, called "Imagination" that will inspire three-to-eight-year-old boys and their moms through TV, online and in store. Commercials, airing on Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney XD, highlight boys imagining themselves as the legendary Marvel Universe Super Heroes through the Power of X in their X-celeRacers shoes.  Stride Rite displays the new collection with Super Hero size character clings and a limited-edition gift with purchase movie poster, at participating locations.  There will also be a special X-celeRacers by Stride Rite Marvel collection webpage at www.striderite.com/marvel that will host a variety of interactive activities for moms to share with their own little Super Hero.

"At Stride Rite, our designers truly understand not only a child's foot growth and development, but how to design character footwear, like X-celeRacers, to fuel kid's imagination during play. We are proud to feature blockbuster kid's licenses, such as Marvel, that speak to both kids and their parents in a trend-rite, relevant way," said Sharon John, Stride Rite Children's Group President.

"We are excited to expand the Marvel footwear collection with Stride Rite this summer," said Paul Gitter, SVP of Licensing, Marvel Entertainment. "We have assembled a strong group of partners in support of our Super Heroes and continue to further our presence in key distribution channels. Our initial line of Stride Rite Spider-Man Web-Slinger children's shoes was met with high demand and we are confident the new X-celeRacers will also be a huge hit among parents and kids."

To learn more and to find a retail store, visit www.striderite.com.  

About Stride Rite Children's Group

The Stride Rite Children's Group, part of the Performance + Lifestyle Group of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE:PSS), markets leading brands of premium children's footwear in the United States, including Stride Rite®, Saucony® Kids, Keds® Kids and Sperry Top-Sider® Kids, among others. For over 90 years, the company has designed and engineered footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing children. Through the sole commitment to "Kid-RITE" innovation, quality, health and style, Stride Rite Children's Group's mission is to be the first choice for premium authentic footwear brands that kids love and moms trust. Visit www.striderite.com to learn more.

About Marvel Entertainment, LLC

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.  

Media Contacts:
Stride Rite: Malinda Freitas, [email protected], 617-824-6231
RF|Binder: Stephanie Robinson, [email protected], 212-994-7532
Marvel: Callie Burrows, [email protected], 212-981-5209

SOURCE Stride Rite Children's Group