MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2023 — Varsity Spirit – the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps, and competitions, and a division of Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit, and achievement recognition – is proud to announce a unique collaboration with Simple Modern, a leading omnichannel drinkware and consumer packaged goods company.
Varsity Spirit and Simple Modern have formed a multi-faceted relationship that will provide specialty custom products to Varsity’s cheer and dance customers, anchored by a collaborative, limited edition, co-branded drinkware line that will be sold on Varsity Spirit’s online store at shop.varsity.com during September. For every St. Jude tumbler sold, Varsity Spirit and Simple Modern will make a joint $5 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® to raise funds to combat childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
While the St. Jude drinkware line anchors the collaboration, Simple Modern and Varsity Spirit will also work together to create elevated drinkware products throughout the rest of 2023, providing customers with an enhanced on-site buying experience.
“This collaboration is an incredible testimony to how Varsity’s Spirit’s customers can have an enhanced experience by partnering with leading brands like Simple Modern. Together, we can increase awareness of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we are thrilled to partner on this amazing initiative to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®,” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. “Varsity Spirit’s mission of creating memorable experiences for young people fully aligns with Simple Modern’s mission to give generously, and we are proud of the innovations created to continually elevate student experiences.”
Varsity Spirit has been a proud partner of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 2011 and has raised over $12M since the beginning of the partnership. Varsity Spirit continues to implement the Team Up for St. Jude Spirited by Varsity Letter Writing Campaign as part of the summer camp curriculum, as well as promote St. Jude Game Day for schools during the school year.
“We are proud to join forces with Varsity Spirit and support the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through this innovative, impactful partnership,” said Simple Modern Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mike Beckham. “Both of our organizations are driven by generosity and service to the community, and we are excited to offer premium-quality drinkware to some of the nation’s top athletes while also making a positive impact in the lives of others.”
The collaborative drinkware design to benefit St. Jude is meaningful for Varsity Spirit and Simple Modern. Each $5 donation helps support St. Jude’s pledge to ensure that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food, so they can focus on helping their child live.
“We are grateful for Varsity Spirit’s enthusiasm for making a difference through philanthropic partnerships,” said Steve Froehlich, Chief Revenue Officer for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “This collaboration allows those at home to put purpose behind their purchase and help raise funds to accelerate research and treatment for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
Varsity Spirit offers a fully integrated, year-round partnership to engage and connect with spirit leaders, families, and fans through its camps, competitions, National Championship events, online and digital presence, and televised assets. Varsity Spirit partnerships provide brands with the necessary tools to make an impact with a targeted, influential audience in a unique, educational and meaningful environment. To learn more about how a partnership with Varsity Spirit can help drive brand awareness and preference, and generate leads, purchases, and long-term loyalty, visit Varsity Spirit’s Corporate Partnerships page.
