Hard Rock Goes PINK Worldwide This October

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- From Hollywood to Hamburg, music's hottest talent and the world-famous Hard Rock brand are going PINK in support of the 14^th Annual PINKTOBER™ campaign. PINKTOBER provides guests with a variety of ways to show their support for the cause! Proceeds from the campaign will support research and awareness-driving efforts for breast cancer charities worldwide, including The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (U.S.), The Caron Keating Foundation (U.K.), Brustkrebs Deutschland e.v. (Germany), Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (Italy), La Ligue Contre le Cancer (France) and more.

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Hard Rock International has recruited Hayley Williams, lead vocalist of the American rock band Paramore, to serve as this year's PINKTOBER "Artist Ambassador."  Hayley will kick off the campaign by making a memorabilia donation to Hard Rock's world-famous collection.  In addition, Hayley will make appearances and meet fans while touring the U.S. this fall on Paramore's "The Self-Titled Tour" which begins on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, in Seattle. To bring PINKTOBER to a close, Hayley will visit Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia to meet with Hard Rock-funded Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) researchers and present a donation to BCRF on Hard Rock's behalf.

"Millions are affected by breast cancer and Hard Rock's PINKTOBER campaign is a great way to help raise global awareness, educate fans and support a cause that affects millions of people," said Hayley Williams, PINKTOBER "Artist Ambassador." "I look forward to joining Hard Rock International for this empowering and high-energy program."

"Every year, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is inspired by our partnership with Hard Rock International," said Myra Biblowit, President and CEO of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. "Not only does Hard Rock continue to get more and more creative with its PINKTOBER program each year, but more importantly, it mobilizes the rock and roll community and its patrons from around the world to join the fight against breast cancer. Together, with partners like Hard Rock and its guests, we will have an enormous impact on the lives of millions of women worldwide."

Hard Rock has plenty of pink to go around this October at its 174 locations worldwide! As part of the international PINKTOBER program, Hard Rock Cafe London will host a fundraising event to benefit The Caron Keating Foundation with a live performance by The Overtones.  Guests at Hard Rock Cafe Hamburg can enjoy pink menu items served by female celebrities such as actress Eva Habermann and Susann Atwell, and enjoy a special performance by musician Maite Kelly. In addition, Hard Rock Cafe Prague will host a series of concert events as part of PINKTOBER, including performances by Tanya Gray and David Dale. 

Back in the U.S., Hard Rock supports the cause with a special "Living Ribbon" event at Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls, where guests and survivors will gather across the Rainbow Bridge connecting the U.S. and Canada to symbolically join the fight against breast cancer.  Music icon and "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant, Bret Michaels, will rock out to raise awareness for a PINKTOBER edition of Velvet Sessions at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando.  And Hard Rock Cafe Houston goes country with a live performance by country singer Joe Nichols benefiting the cause. For the full 2013 Hard Rock PINKTOBER event lineup, visit www.hardrock.com.

"The PINKTOBER program is an incredible example of the unique way Hard Rock Cafes, Hotels and Casinos around the globe are able to spread the message of strength, hope, awareness and support for this very important cause," said Annie Balliro, Sr. Director of Brand Philanthropy, Hard Rock International. "We are honored to work with philanthropic partners who focus on breast cancer research and awareness around the world. We look forward to the day when we can finally put an end to breast cancer."

Shop for the Cause

Hard Rock's PINKTOBER campaign helps get fans into the hottest color of the season with the 2013 PINKTOBER merchandise line, including a collector's edition pin, T-shirt, scarf, bracelet, tote, robe, pink sheets and more! All products will be sold exclusively at Hard Rock properties worldwide, including Cafes, Hotels and Casinos and online at www.hardrock.com.  Proceeds will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Caron Keating Foundation (U.K. only) with 75 percent of the retail price of each pin and 15 percent of the retail price of other products sold going directly to the cause.

Served for the Cause

Giving back never tasted so good! As part of PINKTOBER, Hard Rock Cafe locations will offer a special selection of pink menu items, including Hard Rock's non-alcoholic Strawberry Basil Lemonade, the Strawberry Dream Milkshake and Strawberry Cupcake Dessert.

Stay for the Cause

In addition, Hard Rock Hotel guests can "get into bed for a cause" as part of Hard Rock Hotel's Pink Sheets Rooms.  Hard Rock Hotels in the United States and Latin America will offer special rooms dressed with Hard Rock's pink sheets, with 25 percent of the room rate benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and local breast cancer charities.  Additionally, Hard Rock Hotels will offer an exclusive PINKTOBER Pampering Package for the month of October that includes two night accommodations, spa treatments for two at the Rock Spa, one pink robe, a PINKTOBER pin and more!

Social for the Cause

As part of the 2013 PINKTOBER campaign, Hard Rock encourages fans to show off their support and #MakeItPink on social media. Whether sharing photos of Hard Rock's PINKTOBER merchandise, or displaying how they support breast cancer awareness in their daily lives, Hard Rock wants everyone to join the fight and utilize the #MakeItPink hashtag in their social media posts this fall.

About Paramore

Nashville-based trio Paramore recently released their fourth studio album which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, and internationally at No. 1 in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. The self-titled album by the 3x-Grammy nominated band features the hit single "Still Into You," which is now a Top 15 hit at pop radio nationwide.  The companion video for "Still Into You" is also a VH1 favorite featured on their Top 20 Countdown.  The official music video has an astonishing 28 million views and counting on YouTube. "Paramore" marks the band's first new release in four years and follows the success of their gold-certified debut All We Know Is Falling in 2005, and  a string of platinum and gold singles, including "Misery Business," "Crushcrushcrush," and "That's What You Get" from 2007's platinum-certified Riot!, "Decode" from 2008's Twilight soundtrack, "The Only Exception" from 2009's platinum Brand New Eyes, and "Monster" from 2011's Transformers: Dark of the Moon soundtrack.   Paramore will embark on a national headline arena tour "The Self-Titled Tour" kicking off October 15th at Seattle's Key Arena and continuing through November 27th at The Arena At Gwinnett Center in Atlanta.  The tour also includes the band's first ever headline show at the legendary Madison Square Garden in NYC on November 13th and a homecoming show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 26th.  This tour follows a series of sold-out arena tours, including headlining the 2010 Honda Civic Tour and multiple visits to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. For more information, please visit www.paramore.net.

About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. In 2013, BCRF has committed $45 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers at major medical institutions across 12 countries, including the US.  With 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country. For the eleventh time since 2002, it has earned 4 stars from Charity Navigator.  Additionally, BCRF is the only breast cancer organization rated an "A+" by CharityWatch.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 174 venues in 54 countries, including 138 cafes, 17 hotels and 7 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands.  The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, Fl., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida., as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Biloxi, Chicago, Cancun, Las Vegas, San Diego and Singapore. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include San Jose, Chennai, Istanbul and Tenerife. New Hard Rock Hotel projects include Daytona Beach, Palm Springs, Aruba, Riviera Maya, Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Haikou in China. New Hard Rock Casino projects in development include Hungary and Northfield, OH.  For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

SOURCE Hard Rock International