Saucony Names New VP of Marketing and VP of National Accounts

LEXINGTON, MA – Performance running brand Saucony, Inc, subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS), and a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, today announced that it has appointed Mary (Creedon) O’Brien to the role of vice president of marketing and promoted Pete Calichman to vice president of national accounts. Both O’Brien and Calichman are veterans of Saucony, having launched their sports marketing careers with the brand over 15 years ago. Effective immediately, O’Brien and Calichman will report directly to Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony.

“As we continue our next stage of growth, both of these individuals bring not only a seasoned strategic dimension and consumer focus to our brand-building, but an approach that is collaborative and team-centric,” said Woodworth.

In her new position, O’Brien will spearhead the strategy and execution for all brand-related marketing programs for Saucony footwear and apparel, including advertising, promotions and brand partnerships. Calichman’s focus will be to continue to manage and develop the sales efforts and relationships with the brand’s national accounts.

“Mary is a seasoned and poised marketing executive who’s a well-known and respected player in the running industry,” said Woodworth. “Her extensive strategy, marketing and product development expertise will be invaluable as we continue to amplify the Saucony footwear and apparel brand,” added Woodworth.

This appointment marks a return for O’Brien to Saucony, having launched her sports marketing career with the brand nearly twenty years ago. Prior to her new role with Saucony, O’Brien spent 15 years at Reebok International, holding several senior level positions in U.S. marketing, product development and sales, as well as international sales and marketing roles based in Europe. In between assignments with Reebok, O’Brien served as vice president of product for women’s athletic footwear brand Ryka, a subsidiary of American Sporting Goods Corporation.

Most recently, O’Brien was a marketing consultant with The First Years, Inc., one of the world’s leading developers and marketers of products in the juvenile industry, achieving market share growth for the brand through new product introductions and promotions.

O’Brien has both a B.S. and MBA from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

“I’m very excited to return to Saucony, joining a company of runners that are passionate and dedicated to giving other runners the best experience possible,” said O’Brien. “This is an exciting time to join Saucony, which is rapidly growing its presence as a leader in the performance running marketplace,” she added.

Pete Calichman also began his career with the Saucony brand, holding positions of increasing responsibility in the company’s sales department over the past 15 years. Most recently, Calichman served as senior director of corporate accounts, managing Saucony’s domestic sales relationships with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, TSA, Journey’s, Big 5, and DSW, among others. Calichman is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.

“Pete’s conscientious approach and his ability to execute have earned him the trust of his customers and the Saucony team,” said Woodworth.

“I am very proud to have been part of the Saucony brand for the past 15 years,” said Calichman. “I look forward to deepening my ties with the brand even further, building upon this team’s accomplishments as we accelerate into our next phase of growth.”

About Saucony, Inc.
Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc., is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.
Collective Brands, Inc. is the holding company of three business units: Payless ShoeSource, Stride Rite, and Collective Licensing International. At this time, Collective Brands, Inc. continues to trade under the symbol (PSS). Payless ShoeSource is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the western hemisphere. It is dedicated to democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories and inspiring fun, fashion possibilities for the family at a great value. Stride Rite markets the leading brand of high-quality children’s shoes in the United States. The unit also markets products for children and adults under well-known brand names, including Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger Footwear, Saucony, and Robeez. Collective Licensing International is a leading youth lifestyle marketing and global licensing business. Information about, and links for shopping on each of Collective Brands’ units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.

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