LEKI Nordic Walking Division Partners with Cathy Herbstler PR

LEKI, the world’s leading manufacturer of Skiing, Trekking and Nordic Walking poles, announces today a new partnership with Seattle-based Cherb PR for public relations support, including media relations, strategic communications and marketing, for LEKI’s Nordic Walking division. The partnership is effective immediately.

Based in Germany with U.S. headquarters in Buffalo, N.Y., LEKI has been instrumental in introducing Nordic Walking, or fitness walking with poles, to the U.S. over the last five years. The company has trained 325 instructors to teach Nordic Walking to people everywhere in classes that range from as little as five minutes to two hours. Additionally, they have established Nordic Walking Demo Partners, which are LEKI approved retailers who offer education and product for demonstration.

“Nordic Walking is growing tremendously in North America and we feel Cathy has the background we need to keep LEKI’s momentum going,” says Lindy Spiezer, Marketing Director for LEKI USA. “It is wonderful to have our initiative lead by an active sports enthusiast, busy Mom and Outdoor Industry professional.”

Nordic Walking has become the hottest new trend in fitness in recent years, spreading rapidly worldwide. According to the NSGA, 89.8 million Americans walked for exercise in 2007, making it the country’s number one participation activity. It is estimated that over 8 million people all over the world participate in Nordic Walking.

“It’s great to be working with one of the best companies in the industry on such an important public health initiative,” says Cathy Herbstler of Cherb PR. “I have already seen how Nordic Walking has changed many people’s lives and I can personally attest to the valuable contribution it has made to my own fitness regime.”

About LEKI
LEKI USA, Inc., headquartered at 458 Sonwil Drive Buffalo, NY, is the sole North American distributor of LEKI brand Adjustable Nordic Walking poles, Trekking poles, and Ski poles. For more information please visit www.LEKI.com or call 800.255.9982. For information on Nordic Walking, visit Nordic Walk Now, www.nordicwalknow.com, and the American Nordic Walking Association, www.anwa.us.

About Cherb PR
CHerbPR is a boutique public relations and marketing consulting agency based in Seattle, WA, with a particular focus on the outdoor, sporting goods and travel industries. Cherb PR has worked with top clients including Hi-Tec Sports, Royal Robbins, Highgear, Seattle Sports, Hilleberg the Tentmaker, Inka Corp. and NorthCoast Tugboat Adventures. www.cherbpr.com.