LIVESTRONG: for nearly a decade, the word has symbolized the strength and solidarity of cancer survivors worldwide. Founded in 1997, Livestrong became a household name in 2004 with the launch of its namesake yellow silicone wristbands. Available for a dollar and with all proceeds going toward cancer survivor services, the Nike-designed bracelets turned into a global phenomenon, with more than 50 million of the promotional bracelets sold in the first year alone. The trend caught on and other organizations adopted the strategy, selling wristbands for causes like AIDS awareness and Hurricane Katrina relief. Celebrity sightings made the awareness bracelets fashionable. Nonprofits were seeing cash flow in like never before thanks to the sale of the promotional items, and it was all made possible by the founder of the Livestrong Foundation: Olympian, Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong.
- Companies:
- Alliance Rubber Company
- BamBams
- CleggPromo
- People:
- Lance Armstrong
Kyle A. Richardson is the editorial director of Promo Marketing. He joined the company in 2006 brings more than a decade of publishing, marketing and media experience to the magazine. If you see him, buy him a drink.