Monday, November 10, 2008

Victoria’s Secret PINK and FAMU Combine to Strike PINK!

With a little Rattler spirit from Florida A&M University (FAMU) and a touch of style from Victoria’s Secret (VS) PINK, FAMU President James H. Ammons, VS PINK chief operating officer, FAMU alum and Board of Trustees member, Richard Dent, announced the extension of VS PINK Collegiate Collection.

“This is a day when my past and my present meet; a day when two important elements in my life converge; a day when I feel like the broker, of sorts, for a very powerful partnership,” said Dent. “I can’t think of a better place to roll out this new line than right here on the Rattler Yard.”

The PINK collection will incorporate some Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), including FAMU, Howard, North Carolina A&T State, and Southern Universities, and is slated to launch in mid-December.

“This year we have been working to expand our licensed products and this new partnership with Victoria Secret PINK will place merchandise with our logos and marks in area stores and provide access to a broader audience through on-line purchases,” said Ammons. “This will generate revenue for the university that we can use to enhance operations.”

Ammons spoke about how FAMU students can benefit from this historic partnership. Students from FAMU’s student-run public relations firm, PRodigy were able to get to practice basic integrated marketing and communication skills by working on the Strike PINK account, taking what is learned in the classroom and putting it to use with a real life client.

Three FAMU students will also be selected as VS PINK brand ambassadors, gaining valuable experience promoting the company on the campus and receiving compensation for their work.

In recognition of the occasion PRodigy hosted, alongside VS PINK, a “Recycle Your Sweats” clothing drive. A total of 1,100 clothing items have been collected so far and will be donated to Mothers in Crisis.

According to Dent, FAMU set the record for collecting the most clothing items by any group VS PINK has work with.

Pastor Rosalind Tompkins, founder and Executive Director for the Mothers In Crisis charity, was on hand to accept the donation.

“I am very grateful for this generous donation,” said Tompkins. “I assure you that every article of clothing donation will be put to good use.”

The clothing drive continued throughout the day at the VS Pop-Up Store. This weekend PRodigy students will deliver all of the collected items to Mothers In Crisis.

Lindsey Johnson, a junior pubic relations student and the PRodigy associate that presided over today’s event, introduced FAMU student models showing off VS PINK Collegiate Collection designs for FAMU, Howard and Southern Universities.

As the program came to a close, Johnson reminded the crowd that the VS Pop-Up Store, full of VS merchandise, was also on campus for the FAMU community to enjoy.

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