Osprey Packs' Mike Pfotenhauer Named 2015 OutDoor Celebrity of the Year
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Cortez, CO – July 21, 2015–Osprey Packs, a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear is proud to announce that Mike Pfotenhauer, the brand’s founder and designer, was named 2015 Celebrity of the Year at last week’s OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Pfotenhauer is the tenth recipient of this annual award, known as the Outdoor Oscar®. The coveted award celebrates an individual, who has made a special contribution to the outdoor industry.
“Mike is one of the most highly talented pack designers,” said award presenter Frank Wacker of Outdoor magazine. “Thanks to his vision, Osprey has gone from being a small high-end outfit to one of the most influential backpack brands in the world – a very impressive achievement.”
During the award presentation, Wacker celebrated Pfotenhauer’s career marked by industry-leading innovations. In 1976, Osprey was the first company to introduce breathable mesh panels for greater comfort. In 2005, Osprey developed the first hipbelt that could be heated and molded directly to the shape of the hip. Most recently, at the 2014 OutDoor show, Osprey presented yet another innovation, which retailers hailed as the most important invention of the year: an AntiGravity™ 3D suspended mesh back system with fully ventilated hipbelt that provides a whole new level of comfort.
“I am truly humbled by this tremendous honor,” said Pfotenhauer. “Designing packs and inspiring people to get outdoors is quite simply what I love to do. I feel very fortunate to have built a career on my passion and I am so proud of the company that Osprey Packs has become.”
Pfotenhauer was chosen by an international panel of leading outdoor journalists and industry representatives including: David Durkan (Bergans of Norway, Norway), Richard Jägrund (Haglöfs, Sweden), Susan Viscon (Recreational Equipment Inc., USA), David Laffan (Bivouac Outdoor, New Zealand), Wilfried Teller (Larca Sportartikel GmbH, Germany), Petra Thaller (Thaller Media, Germany), Natasha Bloemhard (Salt Magazine, Netherlands), Augusto Rabajoli (Ferrino, Italy) and Peter Schöffel (Schöffel, Germany).
Osprey Packs
Independent since 1974 and still anchored by the design genius of company founder and owner, Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs is a leader in technical packs for outdoor, cycling, travel and urban adventures. Osprey’s dedication to create innovative, high performance gear reflects the brand’s love of adventure and devotion to the outdoors.
Osprey Packs can be found online at www.ospreypacks.com and in outdoor specialty retailers in over 60 countries worldwide. To learn more about Osprey and its products, visit www.ospreypacks.com. Follow all brand updates on Instagram (@ospreypacks), Facebook (@ospreypacks) and Twitter (@ospreypacks).
