KEEN Receives Inaugural RODALE 100 Award for Live Monumental Campaign

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 1, 2016) –KEEN, maker of original hybrid footwear, is honored to be named to the inaugural RODALE 100, a definitive list of the 100 people, products, companies, and organizations positively impacting the world. KEEN was recognized in the Environmental category for its 2015 Live Monumental campaign which advocates for the protection of more than 3 million acres of public lands.

“We are honored to be recognized for our dedication to protecting the places we play. Public lands are an essential piece of our American landscape and they deserve to be preserved for future generations to enjoy,” said Linda Balfour, KEEN’s Brand Marketing Director. “We share this award with the local non-profits whose daily on-the-ground dedication keeps us inspired and whose partnership has made the Live Monumental campaign possible.”  

For more on KEEN’s award, please visit HERE.

Based in Portland, Oregon, KEEN received the award in recognition for its commitment to environmental activism. KEEN's mission is to build innovative, sustainable products that inspire the world to have fun and play outdoors, while being equally passionate about making a positive difference in the world.

From July-Sept. 2015, KEEN’sLive Monumental campaign focused on creating lasting change and rallying support for the designation of five new national monuments – Owyhee Canyonlands, OR., Mojave Trails, CA., Gold Butte, NV., Birthplace of Rivers, WV., and Boulder-White Clouds, ID. Over nine weeks, KEEN collected more than 35,000 petition signatures and traveled 7,500 miles across the U.S. advocating for the permanent protection of more than 3 million acres of the places we all play. From collaborating with local, regional, and national organizations to raising awareness of public lands in communities around the country to sitting down with government policy makers at the local, state, and federal levels, the campaign sculpted a strong foundation in which to build on for 2016.

The RODALE 100 Award is designed to recognize groundbreaking innovations that revolutionize how people see the world and display commitment to the interest of human beings, animals, and the environment. An expert community of award-winning journalists, activists, and experts submitted nominations for the RODALE 100 based on the principles and vision set forth by J.I. Rodale when he founded the company. All submissions were attentively evaluated with specific emphasis on significant accomplishments in 2015.

“We’ve been in the business of helping people discover happier, healthier ways to live their lives since my grandfather J.I. Rodale launched our first publication in 1942,” said Maria Rodale, the company’s chairman and CEO. “Our company was born of individuals with radical ideas and pioneering souls, so we wanted to develop the RODALE 100 to spotlight the next generation of visionaries, like KEEN, whose work aligns with the Rodale mission.”

For more about the RODALE 100, please visit: rodale100.com

For more about KEEN, please visit: keenfootwear.com

About KEENInspired by a love of the outdoors, KEEN Inc., manufacturer of hybrid outdoor and casual products, including footwear, clothing, and accessories, is dedicated to creating quality products that support the lifestyles and outdoor adventures of active people around the world. KEEN products can be found online and through more than 5,000 retail locations in more than 60 countries, as well as in KEEN Garage retail stores in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The company operations and culture reflect a stand-out commitment to building a strong community and a healthier planet so that all can create, play, and care. Learn more at www.keenfootwear.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Cozzens, Verde Brand Communications, keith@verdepr.com, 970.259.3555 x122.