Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Olympic Gold Medalist Nastia Liukin Team Up for New Supergirl Line Available Exclusively at JCPenney

LOS ANGELES, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) proudly announced today it has partnered with five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin to create Supergirl by Nastia, the first-ever lifestyle merchandise line of its kind for girls available at a major retailer.  Supergirl by Nastia will feature trend-right, affordable apparel that encourages a message of empowerment, creativity, strength, intelligence and independence -- the symbolic attributes of the iconic Supergirl S-Shield.  The collection, created for today's 8-12-year-old girls, will be available exclusively at JCPenney (NYSE: JCP) -- in stores and on jcp.com -- beginning July 20, just in time for the back-to-school season.    

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An Olympic all-around champion and one of the most decorated American gymnasts in the history of the sport, Nastia Liukin is a shining example of the Supergirl brand -- an aspirational spokesperson who believes that with hard work and commitment to a dream, anything is possible.  Liukin embraces being a mentor and a positive role model to girls.  

"I am so proud to be partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and JCPenney to present to girls and moms the Supergirl by Nastia line, which I believe represents not only a fashionable and affordable option, but also communicates an important message of empowerment," said Liukin. "The Supergirl S-Shield is a unique and iconic symbol that has inspired this collection.  I believe it will do the same for girls who wear it."

The line will retail from $20 - $38, making it affordable and exciting for girls to style themselves like a Supergirl.  The collection will include active fleece, dresses and tunics, knit pants, signature Supergirl tees, dancewear, fashion leggings, shrug tops and more.

"The Supergirl S-Shield is embraced the world over as a symbol of girl power," said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  "From 'fashionistas' to 'actionistas,' a Supergirl is today's girl and we are proud to be partnering with Nastia Liukin and JCPenney to bring the Supergirl by Nastia line, and its message of empowerment, to life at retail for all girls and their parents.

"Supergirl by Nastia provides our customers an affordable and accessible clothing brand that embodies Nastia's strong, active and independent lifestyle and we look forward to introducing this brand to our customers this back-to-school season. Fashion is a great way for young girls to express their confidence and individuality and this line will send them back into the classroom in an empowered way," said Clark McNaught, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of JCPenney's children's division. "The launch of Supergirl by Nastia underscores our commitment to deliver stylish, affordable brands that respond to the needs of our customers. And as the exclusive retailer of this exciting new brand, it provides yet another compelling reason for customers to shop with JCPenney and strengthens our position as a leading destination for children's apparel."

Supergirl by Nastia will be supported by a robust marketing rollout, from circular advertising, direct mail and integrated social media to in-store promotions and appearances by Liukin across the country, all launching later this year.  

For the past four years, Warner Bros. has been supporting female athletes with the Supergirl Jam, the only large-scale, all-girls action sports competition and lifestyle/music festival.  This event is designed to promote and celebrate female strength, independence and empowerment.

With the Supergirl Jam, Warner Bros. successfully established the Supergirl S-Shield, the universally recognized symbol of strength and leadership, as the symbol under which today's sports girls unite.  These "actionistas" embody the intelligence, independence, strength and creativity of the Supergirl brand.  

Continuing the Supergirl brand's support of today's action sports girl, the inaugural Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup was held this month, celebrating the accomplishments of young, rising female gymnasts and exemplifying the same collective attributes for which the Supergirl S-Shield stands.  

ABOUT Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, is a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

ABOUT DC COMICS

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations.  DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

ABOUT Nastia Liukin

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin's total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, currently held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin's medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze - floor exercise. Liukin is just the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around crown. Liukin has nine world medals to her credit. Liukin and her teammates on the 2007 U.S. Women's World Championships Team were selected as the 2007 U.S. Olympic Committee's Team of the Year. Following her success in Beijing, Nastia was named the International Gymnastics Federation Athlete of the Year, Women's Sports Foundation Individual Sportswoman of the Year, and the United States Sports Academy's Female Athlete of the Year. In 2009, she was named USAG Athlete of the Year, USAG Sportswoman of the Year and won an ESPY for Female Athlete of the Year. With an undeniable presence on and off the mat, Nastia has secured a multitude of promotional partnerships including Covergirl, Visa, AT&T, Herbal Essences, Pure Sport, Secret, Sega and the cover of the Wheaties box. Nastia has appeared in several television projects such as the hit TV series, Gossip Girl; the documentary, USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team; and the feature film, Stick It. She was also chosen as one of 2009's most influential women by MSN Lifestyle.

About JCPenney

JCPenney is one of America's leading retailers, operating 1,110 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com, and the nation's largest general merchandise catalog business. Through these integrated channels, JCPenney offers a wide array of national, private and exclusive brands which reflect the Company's commitment to providing customers with style and quality at a smart price. Traded as "JCP" on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company posted revenue of $17.6 billion in 2009 and is executing its strategic plan to be the growth leader in the retail industry. Key to this strategy is JCPenney's "Every Day Matters" brand positioning, intended to generate deeper, more emotionally driven relationships with customers by fully engaging the Company's approximately 150,000 Associates to offer encouragement, provide ideas and inspire customers every time they shop with JCPenney. For more information visit www.jcpenney.net.

SUPERGIRL and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.

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SOURCE Warner Bros. Consumer Products