Sperry Top-Sider® Expands into New Waters as Exclusive Footwear of Inshore Fishing Tour

Lexington, Mass. (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- Sperry Top-Sider® recently announced its exclusive sponsorship of this year's Inshore Fishing Association (IFA) Redfish Tour. This announcement comes on the heels of its sponsorship of multiple other fishing properties this year such as the SaltWater Sportsman Seminar Series, Mayors Cup and American Sportfishing Association.

"We're proud and excited to expand into new waters with the inshore Redfish Tour ," said Karen Pitts, vice president, marketing, Sperry Top-Sider. "Sponsoring the IFA Redfish Tour truly represents Sperry Top-Sider's continued and expanding support of pro, recreational and conservation-minded sportfisherman."

Sperry Top-Sider signed on for the first time this year as the exclusive footwear of the IFA Redfish Tour, a grassroots inshore fishing tournament, consisting of 19 events in seven different states throughout the South and Southeast between March and November 2008.

"The IFA Redfish Tour has had a long standing track record of partnering with top national brands known for quality. Sperry Top-sider is a leader in its industry and has a rich history for quality footwear built for boaters and anglers alike," said Bart Schad, IFA Marketing. "The IFA is very proud of this newly formed relationship and looks forward to a long future with the brand." The Tour focuses on redfish angling, but also on conservation, developing relationships with local and/or state chapters of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) in tournament regions and with the Audubon Nature Institute.

For more information about the IFA Redfish competition and Sperry Top-Sider's other partnerships visit the Sponsorships page at www.sperrytopsider.com.

About Sperry Top-Sider

Since 1935, Sperry Top-Sider has been the leading brand of footwear for those who love the water. From its introduction of the world's first siped rubber outsole for non-marking traction, to advanced technical fabrication to combat the elements, Sperry Top-Sider remains the vanguard of high-performance amphibious footwear and apparel. Available around the globe in fine independent, marine, outdoor and department stores, Sperry Top-Sider is the official footwear of the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas, US SAILING, National Safe Boating Council and Team Seven Sailing.

Based in historic Lexington, Massachusetts, Sperry Top-Sider supports a wide-range of water-related activities through its many sponsorships, including ACURA Key West, National Safe Boating Council and Sperry Top-Sider NOOD Regattas. Sperry Top-Sider is a division of the Stride Rite Corporation, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE:PSS). For more information, please visit www.sperrytopsider.com.

About the Inshore Fishing Association

The Inshore Fishing Association (IFA) Redfish Tour is dedicated to conducting affordable inshore fishing tournaments in all areas of the country where Redfish and other inshore species are found. The efforts of the IFA, its' members and sponsors is to help conserve and protect our salt-water resources for this generation and those to come. The IFA Redfish Tour Sponsors include Cabela's, Ranger Boats, Yamaha, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Loadmaster, Sebile, JaxWraps, Power-Pole, Solar Bat, Pioneer Beef Jerky, Sperry Top-Sider, DriGrip, CW Crab, Charter Lakes Marine Insurance and the Audubon Nature Institute. For more information about the IFA Redfish Tour tournaments, visit www.redfishtour.com or call (478) 836-4266.

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