STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Picks Up Multi-Year Sponsor in Georgia Boot

VIRGINA BEACH, Va., March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- STIHL Inc., creator and producer of the premier lumberjack sports event, the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series, announced today that Georgia Boot has signed on as an event sponsor for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Georgia Boot, the creator of the original logger boot, will have a presence at every STIHL TIMBERSPORTS professional and collegiate event and on the Series' website and social media channels, along with commercial spots and an in-show feature during televised contests.

"Georgia Boot is excited to team with STIHL to present the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series to lumberjack fans across the country," said Jordan Gottke, brand manager for Georgia Boot. "We have a tremendous heritage with logger boots, and aligning with STIHL is a perfect fit."

Both STIHL and Georgia Boot see this relationship as a natural fit that aligns with both brands, known for performance and dependability. The sponsorship will give Georgia Boot activation opportunities and lucrative TV and social media exposure to reach their core consumer base. In addition, Georgia Boot and STIHL TIMBERSPORTS will work together to produce direct-to-consumer marketing and promotional materials.

"STIHL is proud to have Georgia Boot as The Official Work Boot of the Series," said Brad Sorgen, executive producer of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series. "Our athletes and deck crew are all about performance and dependability, and we look forward to working together to highlight both brands as part of this new relationship."

Established in 1985, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series assembles the world's top lumberjack athletes to compete in the Original Extreme Sport. The Series is seen by over 20 million viewers annually in over 62 countries around the world on networks like ABC, Eurosport, and the ESPN networks, where it is now recognized as the second longest running show behind only "SportsCenter."

Athletes compete in a variety of disciplines based on traditional logging skills to determine the best all-around lumberjack. Disciplines include Hot Saw, Single Buck, Springboard Chop, Standing Block Chop, Stock Saw and Underhand Chop.

The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series includes five collegiate qualifiers, three professional qualifiers, collegiate and professional championship events and a world championship. The 2014 schedule kicks off March 14, and the U.S. collegiate and professional championship is scheduled for June 20 to 22. The full schedule can be viewed here: http://www.stihlusa.com/stihl-timbersports/schedules/.

For more information about the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series, visit the series website at www.stihltimbersports.com, the series Facebook page at facebook.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTS or follow on twitter at www.twitter.com/Timbersports.

About STIHL Inc.
STIHL Inc. manufactures the world's largest selling brand of chain saws and produces a full line of powerful, lightweight, and versatile handheld outdoor power equipment for homeowners and professional users. STIHL products are sold through independent servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of the closest STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit STIHL's website at www.stihlusa.com.

*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2013 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.

STIHL Inc. is the official underwriting sponsor of the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series. The series airs throughout the year on the Outdoor Channel and TUFF TV, and the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Collegiate Series airs on ESPNU. The STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® SERIES is the pinnacle event in lumberjack sports. Since 1985 the Series has grown to become the premier showcase of the decades old sport of lumberjacking with competitions held around the world.

The term TIMBERSPORTS^® is a registered trademark owned by ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG. and refers to the series of disciplines and competitions that are part of the STIHL^® TIMBERSPORTS^® Series. As such, it should not be used as a generic description of the overall sport of lumberjack sports. This trademark refers to all modifications of the term TIMBERSPORTS such as timber sports, or timbersport. The term TIMBERSPORTS should always appear in conjunction with "STIHL."

About Georgia Boot
For over 75 years, Georgia Boot® has been a leader in the work footwear market. Based in Nelsonville, Ohio, the company manufactures and markets quality work and outdoor footwear. The company's products are available in nearly 3,000 retail and catalog outlets. It is a division of Rocky Brands, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ® under the symbol: RCKY. For more information visit follow us on Twitter, @GeorgiaBoot, or Facebook facebook.com/GeorgiaBoot.

www.stihltimbersports.com  
www.facebook.com/stihltimbersports 
www.twitter.com/Timbersports

SOURCE STIHL Inc.