Keen launches sustainability campaign
Oregon-based performance footwear, sock and bag producer Keen has launched a new initiative, Hybrid.STAND, to inspire people to think more about sustainability.
It involves two main components: an online contest and a documentary film. The campaign will culminate at the Hybrid.STAND Festival, Portland, in June 2008, at which the company will announce the contest winners.
The STAND Online Contest will be split into three categories: Stand Up: for creative people in design, art, photography, journalism or film; Stand Out: for outdoor athletes to drive awareness around sustainability; and Stand For: for groups who have developed innovative ways to involve others in actions that benefit the environment through non-profit organisations or research.
Online submissions will be accepted until December 31 and all submissions will be reviewed by a panel of 13 judges, including designer Yves Behar and world-champion free skier Alison Gannett.
Each of the three categories will be awarded a $25,000 prize, along with five second-tier awards of $5000 each.
The initiative also includes a special outreach to college students. Fifty college and university campuses will host special events, which will include a screening of the new ’STAND’ documentary.
The documentary features nine inspiring individuals who are pioneering ideas to support and promote sustainability and encouraging others to do the same.
Each campus will receive a $1000 sustainability award, which will be given to the school’s favourite sustainable cause, voted for by the students.
Vice president of marketing, Bobbie Parisi, said: “This programme takes what is talked about in the media at a very high level down to those who want to contribute and make a difference but don't know how to share or gain support for their ideas."
