FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MICHAEL KORS ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHTS OF 2017 WATCH HUNGER STOP CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT GLOBAL HUNGER
NEW YORK OCTOBER 1, 2017—World Food Day is on October 16 and Michael Kors is dedicating the month to new products and activities designed to support Watch Hunger Stop, the brand’s campaign to fight global hunger. Now in its 5th year, Watch Hunger Stop raises funds and awareness to help achieve a world with Zero Hunger. The brand's partner in the effort is the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and funds go to support WFP's school meals program, which reaches over 16 million children in almost 70 countries each year with vital nutrition that helps them fulfil their potential. Thus far, Watch Hunger Stop has enabled WFP to deliver more than 15 million meals to children in need.
"Our multi-year partnership with Michael Kors has resulted in a significant contribution toward progress in the fight against global hunger," says Rick Leach, President and CEO of World Food Program USA. "Over the past five years, the school meals program, a focus of the Michael Kors effort, has played an enormous role in empowering hungry children with the nutrition they need to succeed in the classroom and lift themselves out of poverty."
KATE HUDSON
Actress, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian Kate Hudson is again lending her talents to support Watch Hunger Stop, the brand’s annual campaign to fight global hunger. This past June, Hudson traveled with WFP to Siem Reap province in Cambodia to see how the funds raised through Watch Hunger Stop help WFP feed and support children in need. During the field visit, Hudson visited schools, farms and family homes, asking questions and sharing her irresistible warmth and energy. She spoke with local WFP staff members, helped cook school meals and played with children, thoroughly immersing herself in the details of the school meals program and the lives of those it affects.
“This is the third year I’ve had the honor of collaborating with Michael on this important cause,” says Hudson. “In June, I visited schools in Cambodia, where the funds raised by Watch Hunger Stop enable the United Nations World Food Programme to feed children so they receive the nutrition they need to grow and to finish their education. It was an amazing experience—I can’t wait to share everything that I saw and learned there.”
“I’m thrilled and grateful that my friend Kate is joining us once again in our efforts to end hunger,” says Michael Kors. “She and I share the belief that if we all work together, this is a problem we can solve. Watch Hunger Stop supports WFP’s school meals program, improving the lives of children who deserve the chance for a healthy, happy future. We’re proud to be able to help.”
THE ARTIST’S HAND
This year’s Watch Hunger Stop campaign features illustrations by award-winning artist Clym Evernden. Known for his distinctive ink-based style, Evernden graduated from Central Saint Martins, where he studied fashion design. He has contributed to several campaigns for Michael Kors, including for the opening of the Regent Street flagship store. Watch Hunger Stop is the artist’s first philanthropic campaign, and his bold, inviting designs add a vibrant dimension to the Watch Hunger Stop message. Speaking about his artwork, Evernden explains that he “aimed to create strong images that have an immediate global appeal. The use of my spontaneous and instinctive ink line encapsulates the message of the campaign to generate rapid help for those in need, promoting a feeling of proactive involvement.”
STYLE THAT DOES GOOD
Special-edition watches have been a part of the Watch Hunger Stop effort since its inception, with 100 meals donated to WFP for each watch sold.* This year’s highlight is a special edition of the just-launched Michael Kors Access Sofie touchscreen smartwatch.
Featuring a thin, lightweight body with a dazzlingly sharp, full round display, the Watch Hunger Stop Sofie is a sleek, glamorous, black-plated style with a gunmetal pavé top ring and pavé checkered bracelet. It includes the latest iteration of the Michael Kors Access app, with added functionality including My Social, a feature that allows the user to link to his or her Instagram or Facebook account directly on their smartwatch and set a personal post photo as a watch face. A pre-loaded digital face designed for Watch Hunger Stop is available only on this watch.
Like all MICHAEL KORS ACCESS wearables, the Watch Hunger Stop Sofie is compatible with both iOS® and Android™ phones, is powered by Android Wear™ 2.0, Google’s smartwatch platform, and boasts a Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 2100 processor. Android Wear 2.0 expands the smartwatch experience through customizable dials, user-friendly notifications and messaging, downloadable third-party apps, and help from your Google Assistant.
The Michael Kors Access Watch Hunger Stop Sofie touchscreen smartwatch is sold exclusively in select Michael Kors stores worldwide and on official Michael Kors websites through March 31, 2018, and retails for $395.
SEEING THE FUTURE
An especially stylish way to help Watch Hunger Stop is to buy a pair of black-and-cobalt-blue Lon sunglasses. These special-edition aviators feature flat, mirrored lenses that lend the classic silhouette a modern edge. Each pair sold delivers 100 meals to children through WFP.*
Watch Hunger Stop Lon sunglasses are available in sizes for both men and women, and are sold exclusively in select Michael Kors stores worldwide and on official Michael Kors websites through March 31, 2018. They retail for $159.
SHARE THE MEAL
Share The Meal is the world’s first app against global hunger. An initiative of WFP, Share The Meal has bright, charming graphics, an effortless interface, and a wealth of facts and photos about people and places you’re delighted to get to know. With Share The Meal, you can donate as little as $.50 with a tap on your screen—and know you’ve helped someone. It’s got all the makings of the perfect daily ritual. Download the Share The Meal app at http://wfpusa.org/MKSTM2017
SNAP TO DONATE
Building on last year’s success, Michael Kors has once again created a Watch Hunger Stop Snapchat geofilter, available from October 1-31. Visit a Michael Kors store in the US, Canada or the UK, snap using the special geofilter, and 25 meals will be donated to WFP.**
WATCH HUNGER STOP T-SHIRTS
Every year, Michael Kors designs a new Watch Hunger Stop t-shirt. This year’s t-shirt, designed by Clym Everden, will be given away—no purchase necessary—at select Michael Kors stores around the world from October 14-16. Post a selfie in your t-shirt tagged with #WatchHungerStop and Michael Kors will donate 50 meals to WFP.***
MORE WAYS TO DONATE
During the month of October, customers can make a donation to Watch Hunger Stop at the register in select Michael Kors stores around the globe.
In select countries, visitors to WatchHungerStop.com can follow the on-screen link to donate to WFP directly. In the US, users can also text the word MKHUNGER to 50555 to make a $5 gift (message and data rates may apply).
“Every year I’m inspired by the enormous outpouring of generosity for Watch Hunger Stop from our customers and fans,” says Michael Kors. “And every year we try to make it even easier for anyone who wants to help to get involved. It’s incredible to be a part of this community of people around the world working to end hunger, and I know that if we continue to work, we’ll make it happen.”
For more information, visit:
Watch Hunger Stop: http://www.watchhungerstop.com/
Destination Kors: http://www.destinationkors.com/
Michael Kors on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/michaelkors
@MichaelKors on Twitter: http://twitter.com/michaelkors
@MichaelKors on Instagram: - https://www.instagram.com/michaelkors/ (and via mobile)
Michael Kors on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkors/
To order the product, visit http://www.michaelkors.com/watchhungerstop
To learn more about WFP, visit http://www.wfp.org
World Food Programme on Facebook: www.facebook.com/worldfoodprogramme
@WFP on Twitter: twitter.com/wfp
Android Wear™ requires a phone running Android 4.3+ or iOS 8.2+. Supported features may vary between platforms. Visit g.co/wearcheck on your Android phone or iPhone® to see if your device is compatible.
Google, Android and Android Wear are trademarks of Google Inc.
iPhone is a trademark of Apple, Inc. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.
* For each purchase of these Watch Hunger Stop items from a Michael Kors retail store or official Michael Kors website, Michael Kors will donate US $25 (equal to 100 meals) to WFP. WFP does not endorse any product or services.
** The donation for one snap using the Snapchat Watch Hunger Stop geofilter = $6.25 = 25 meals. Michael Kors will donate up to 1,000,000 meals for the use of the geofilter.
*** While supplies last. The donation for one Watch Hunger Stop t-shirt selfie = $12.50 = 50 meals.
About Michael Kors
Michael Kors is a world-renowned, award-winning designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear. His namesake company, established in 1981, currently produces a range of products under Michael Kors Collection, MICHAEL Michael Kors and Michael Kors Mens, including accessories, ready-to-wear, footwear, wearable technology, watches, and a full line of fragrance products. Michael Kors stores are operated in the most prestigious cities in the world. In addition, Michael Kors operates digital flagships across North America, Europe and Asia, offering customers a seamless omni-channel experience.
About the World Food Programme
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
Forward-Looking Statements
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dinesh Kandiah
VP, Global Communications
MICHAEL KORS
T: 917.214.2979
E: Dinesh.Kandiah@michaelkors.com
