The World's Largest Dance-Fitness Charity Initiative Turns Party in Pink™ Zumbathon® Campaign Into Global Movement

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past two years, Zumba Fitness has developed the Zumbathon® charity platform giving instructors and Zumba® fans all over the world the opportunity to unite through exercise and raise money for important causes. Due to the successful 2010 Party in Pink Zumbathon movement which raised over $500,000 for breast cancer research, Zumba Fitness will amplify its fundraising impact with a re-launch of the Party in Pink™ campaign globally. The campaign, which will raise $1 million to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and its global non-profit partners, began in August and will run through the end of October.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111005/NY80777 )

"For nearly 30 years, Susan G. Komen has been tirelessly fighting the war against breast cancer, raising millions of dollars to help find treatments for the horrible disease.  When we launched the Party in Pink Zumbathon charity campaign last year, we were overwhelmed and inspired by the outpouring of support from within the Zumba® community," said Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba Fitness. "Based on the incredible level of commitment that we saw from our instructors and members, we knew we had to do this again – and take it a step further by expanding the movement internationally."

Zumba is tapping into its global network of instructors in more than 125 countries, encouraging its 12 million Zumba® enthusiasts worldwide to 'join the party' in support of this important cause.  The initiative raises money for the fight against breast cancer via a series of Zumbathon charity events (Zumba® classes for charity) and through the sales of limited edition Party in Pink Zumbawear® apparel including cargo pants, t-shirts, tank tops and bracelets that can be purchased at www.partyinpink.com . At least 75-percent of ticket sales from Zumbathon events hosted by Zumba® instructors and 30-percent of Zumbawear apparel sales are donated to Komen and its global non-profit partners.

"Zumba Fitness is a fantastic partner for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This program not only supports our recommendation that people live healthy lifestyles to reduce risk of breast cancer, but also the Party in Pink Zumbathon campaign raises much-needed funds for our efforts to discover and deliver the cures for breast cancer," said Margo Lucero, vice president, business development and partnerships at Komen. "With the help of Zumba Fitness we hope to reach people we may not have access to in the US as well as internationally and invite them to take action in their lives - get screened."

To further assist in raising money for breast cancer research, American Idol alum, Jordin Sparks, and legendary music artist, Wyclef Jean, have teamed up with Zumba Fitness to create a video encouraging people to join the Party in Pink™ global movement and help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research in conjunction with Komen and its global nonprofit partners. Also featured in the video are Zumba® Fitness creator, Beto, and Zumba® celebrity instructors, Gina Grant and Tanya Beardsley. Click here to view the video.

In addition, Wyclef teamed up with Zumba Fitness to leverage its music platform by launching his latest single, "Historia" as the theme song for the Party in Pink™ campaign. Available now, 10-percent of every iTunes download of "Historia" will be donated to Susan G. Komen and its global nonprofit partners. Click here to download "Historia."

In 2010, The Party in Pink movement exploded across the United States with more than 50,000 participants coming together to show their support for Komen and their fight to end breast cancer forever. Money was raised through nearly 800 Zumbathon charity events held in all 50 states as well as through the sales of the Party in Pink Zumba apparel items. Since 2009, Zumba Fitness has raised over 2 million dollars for charities – just recently, the global company raised nearly $700,000 for the American Heart Association® and $270,000 for MDA's Augie's Quest.

To find a listing of Party in Pink Zumbathon charity events in your area, purchase Party in Pink Zumbawear items, or to share your story on how you have been affected by breast cancer, please visit www.partyinpink.com.

About Zumba Fitness, LLC

Zumba Fitness is the largest dance-fitness company in the world known for the Zumba® program, a blend of contagious and easy-to-follow choreographies set to upbeat international rhythms. Coined the "fitness-party," Zumba® classes provide an effective total-body workout, which tone and sculpt while burning fat. In 2011, Zumba Fitness celebrates 10 years of changing lives as more than 12 million devotees attend weekly Zumba classes across 125 countries in 110,000 locations. In addition to the original Zumba program, there are now four specialty programs: the Zumba Gold® program, a modified version for active older adults; the Zumba® Toning program featuring lightweight, maraca-like Zumba® Toning Sticks; the Aqua Zumba® program, the ultimate "pool party" workout; and the Zumbatomic® program, kid-friendly Zumba routines. For at-home fitness, the brand offers the Zumba® Fitness Total Body Transformation DVD Set and the cutting-edge Zumba® Fitness Exhilarate™ DVD collection; both feature original Zumba® fitness music created by Grammy award-winning producers. In 2010, the Zumba® Fitness Video Game was released on multiple platforms. The brand also offers its colorful and expressive multiseasonal Zumbawear® collection. With every new project Zumba Fitness undertakes, the mission remains the same – to make instructors successful. For more information or to find a live class, visit zumba.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter. For approved photography, email [email protected].

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, we have invested more than $1.9 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Note about the Zumba® trademark

The word ZUMBA® was coined by our company and is the brand name for our fun and effective fitness program that combines easy-to-follow moves with invigorating Latin and international rhythms. When referring to ZUMBA® we ask that you please keep in mind the following to protect the thousands of instructors worldwide who make their careers teaching Zumba Fitness classes:

Please do not:

• Use Zumba as a verb -- for example, "once you zumba, you'll be hooked."
• Use Zumba as a noun -- for example, "zumba is my favorite exercise."
• Use Zumba as a generic term -- for example, as a name for a fitness program "My gym offers zumba."

Instead, please do:

• Capitalize the letter "Z" or the whole word "ZUMBA."
• Refer to "the Zumba fitness program," "Zumba class," "Zumba instructor" etc. – for example "The Zumba fitness program is the most fun you'll ever have while working out" or "I love my Zumba instructor, she's the best."
• Use the ® symbol following the word Zumba® - especially in headers and titles.

SOURCE Zumba Fitness, LLC