ST. LOUIS, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized for integrating its iconic brand with legendary product lines, sports marketing endorsements and sponsorships, Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., a subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: [ JAH ]), today was named one of "America's Greatest Brands" by the American Brands Council.

Rawlings joins Major League Baseball and NASCAR as the only sports-centric brands in the annual review of the country's strongest and most valuable brands. The upcoming ninth edition of America's Greatest Brands features each honoree in a two-page spread that highlights their history, achievements and brand impact.

"We are thrilled to have a powerful and long-lasting brand like Rawlings among the best in the country," said Carl Meyer, publisher and chief executive officer of America's Greatest Brands, and head of the American Brands Council. "Rawlings was the highest-scoring sports brand among Council members, and considering some of the brands in the sports marketplace today, this clearly illustrates the power and affinity of the Rawlings brand, and its innovation and evolution over the course of its distinguished history."

Now in its ninth year awarding this distinction, the American Brands Council includes a distinguished group of independent advertising, marketing and communications professionals. According to Meyer, the Council is responsible for nominating the brands each year, which starts by asking marketing's universal question, "What makes a great brand?"

Some criteria the Council considers when nominating a brand include the brand's quality, resilience and longevity, customer loyalty, market leadership and social responsibility.

"To be recognized as one of America's Greatest Brands is truly the culmination of the outstanding effort, passionate dedication and unparalleled craftsmanship all Rawlings employees have poured into their careers and their products since the company's inception in 1887," said Robert Parish, President and Chief Executive Officer for St. Louis-based Rawlings. "The Rawlings brand and its iconic red patch are recognized by athletes around the world as symbols of quality, authenticity, innovation and performance, and our status as the official baseball and batting helmet of Major League Baseball drives that point home."

Rawlings maintains the largest social media following of any baseball-centric sporting goods company today and engages its fans daily with unique content such as the fan-voted Rawlings Gold Glove Award® Play of the Day™ and exclusive promotions for authentic memorabilia, unique experiences and custom fielders' gloves.

"We are aggressively activating our endorsement and sponsorship assets to better attract and communicate with our target market of 'next-level' players," said Parish. "Because our brand is the number-one baseball brand worldwide, the Rawlings story is as true to players in St. Louis, New York and Los Angeles as it is in Caracas, Tokyo and San Juan."

About Rawlings

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods in the United States. Since the company's inception in 1887, Rawlings' mission has always centered on enabling participation by developing and producing innovative, high-performance equipment and protective apparel for the professional, amateur and entry-level player. With an assortment of baseball, basketball, football and softball game-related product lines, Rawlings is present everywhere team sports are played. Leagues and conferences of all skill levels integrate Rawlings' unparalleled product portfolio into their sports: as the Official Baseball Supplier and Official Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball for the NCAA®, the official football for the NAIA®, the official basketball for the NAIA, NJCAA® and AAU®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit [ rawlings.com ], Rawlings' [ Facebook page ] or by phone at (314) 819-2800.

About Jarden Corporation

Jarden Corporation is a leading provider of a diverse range of consumer products with a portfolio of over 100 trusted, quality brands sold globally. Jarden operates in three primary business segments through a number of well recognized brands, including: Outdoor Solutions: Abu Garcia®, Aero®, Berkley®, Campingaz® and Coleman®, ExOfficio®, Fenwick®, Gulp!®, K2®, Marker®, Marmot®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Rawlings®, Shakespeare®, Stearns®, Stren®, Trilene®, Volkl® and Zoot®; Consumer Solutions: Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, FoodSaver®, Health o meter®, Holmes®, Mr. Coffee®, Oster®, Patton®, Rival®, Seal-a-Meal®, Sunbeam®, VillaWare® and White Mountain®; and Branded Consumables: Ball®, Bee®, Bicycle®, Billy Boy®, Crawford®, Diamond®, Dicon®, Fiona®, First Alert®, First Essentials®, Forster®, Hoyle®, Kerr®, Lehigh®, Leslie-Locke®, Lillo®, Loew Cornell®, Mapa®, NUK®, Pine Mountain®, Quickie®, Spontex® and Tigex®. Headquartered in Rye, N.Y., Jarden ranks #379 on the Fortune 500 and has over 25,000 employees worldwide. For in-depth information about Jarden, please visit [ www.jarden.com ].

SOURCE Rawlings

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[ http://www.rawlings.com ]
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Rawlings Honored as One of America's Greatest Brands

Rawlings Honored as One of America's Greatest Brands

American Brands Council bestows top award to Rawlings for first time