Neal McCoy & Wrangler® Get “Tough” on Breast Cancer

Are you tough enough to wear pink? That is the question Neal McCoy & the Wrangler® brand, the western wear icon, asks consumers as it launched the Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP) initiative. Proceeds from a special-edition pink shirt benefit breast cancer research.

As the leader in western lifestyle apparel since 1947 and the originator of the Cowboy Cut® jean, the Wrangler® brand is using its strength and association with the rugged cowboy lifestyle to honor breast cancer survivors and the brave women and men who continue to battle the disease.

“Breast cancer touches everyone,” said Phil McAdams, president, Wrangler® Specialty Apparel. “Tough Enough to Wear Pink is our way of recognizing the courageous women and men who face the disease and the family and friends who face it with them. We hope to use the strength of the Wrangler® brand to help lead the western industry to raise money in the fight against breast cancer and support such a universal cause.”

A redesigned Wrangler® rope emblem in the shape of the renowned breast cancer ribbon signifies the parallels between the cowboys who won the West and the brave women and men who are determined to win the battle against breast cancer. The initiative culminated in December at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the 10-day western extravaganza in Las Vegas. Rodeo contestants wore the special-edition TETWP shirt during the Friday, Dec. 9 rodeo performance. Additionally, the Wrangler® brand along with TETWP partner brands – the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Justin Boots, Coors, Dodge, Jack Daniels, Las Vegas Events, Montana Silversmiths and Resistol Hats – made monetary donations for each winning performance from that night’s rodeo to breast cancer research.

“The concept of tough cowboys wearing pink might sound funny, but that contrast is what makes Tough Enough to Wear Pink so special,” said Karl Stressman, director of sponsorships, Wrangler Specialty Apparel. “Pink will symbolize courage, strength and determination when the western industry comes together in the fight against breast cancer.” The Wrangler TETWP shirt is sold in western specialty retailers nationwide where Wrangler Western Wear is found.

The TETWP program extends through Wrangler’s 2006 rodeo sponsorship program benefiting local breast cancer research organizations chosen by local PRCA rodeo committees.Wrangler® Western Wear is available at over 2,500 western specialty, mid-tier and workwear stores nationwide that provide quality men’s and women’s apparel and accessories.

For more information on Neal McCoy contact: Jim Havey, 615-251-8802
For more information on Wrangler contact: Sarah Allen, 919-832-6300
For more information on Wrangler/Country Music Initiatives contact: Kirt Webster, 615-777-6995 x24