Livestrong wristband
The Livestrong wristband (stylized as LIVESTRONG) is a yellow silicone gel bracelet launched in May 2004 as a fund-raising item for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (now known as the Livestrong Foundation) founded by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The bracelet itself was developed by Nike and its advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, and was named by the social engagement agency SS+K. It comes in many colors.
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Purpose [edit]
The bracelet is part of the "Wear Yellow Live Strong" program. The program is intended to raise money for the Livestrong Foundation which supports cancer survivorship.[1] There have now been 80 million Livestrong bracelets sold to date. Individual bands sell for US$1 each.[citation needed]
Yellow was chosen for its importance in professional cycling, as it is the color of the yellow jersey worn by the leader of the Tour de France. Other charities were inspired by the success of the Livestrong band, and many charities have developed their own bracelets for raising money and awareness.
Popularity [edit]
The band became a popular fashion item in the United States by the end of the summer of 2004, especially among those following Armstrong's Tour de France effort. They soon gained popularity worldwide.[citation needed] It first appeared on a majority of the contenders at the 2004 Tour de France. Personalities such as 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, news anchor Katie Couric, actor Matt Damon, and several athletes at the Athens Olympic Games[2] wore the band. Appearances on and endorsements by popular TV shows such as Oprah, also raised its profile enormously.[citation needed]
On an August 2007 edition of the satirical television show The Colbert Report (where Armstrong made a guest appearance), Stephen Colbert parodied the wristband, creating the "Wriststrong" wristband, in his growing campaign against "wrist violence".[3]
In The Office episode "Michael's Birthday," Michael creates a makeshift Livestrong wristband out of yellow paper upon finding out that Kevin is at risk for skin cancer.
A 2013 article by Dr Christopher Baker, Research Fellow in Social Investment and Philanthropy at Australia's Swinburne University of Technology, for "The Conversation" website, stated that the Oprah program has established that 80 million Livestrong wristbands have been sold globally.[4]
2012 doping allegations [edit]
Following Armstrong's lifetime ban for doping by USADA, CNN reported that people were crossing out the "V" on the wristband so that it read "LIE STRONG".[5] However, figures provided by the foundation to the ESPN media organization, in October 2012, reveal that revenues were up 2.1 percent, to US$33.8 million, through September 30, 2012—according to ESPN, this total represents a 5.4 percent increase from 2011, with a 5.7 percent increase in the average dollar amount of those donations (from US$74.88 in 2011 to US$79.15 in 2012).[6]
Other similar wristbands [edit]
The Livestrong Wristbands have inspired numerous other wristbands for charities, and various political causes. (See gel bracelet.)
- Following the Floyd Landis Tour de France incident, The Onion released a spinoff bracelet with the words "Cheat To Win."
- In 2007 and 2008, a legal saga played out, involving a man from Oklahoma who sold dog collars with the word "Barkstrong" on them. Livestrong first sued the man in 2007,[7] while the accused launched a counter-suit in 2008 after getting a patent.[8] The collars are still on sale as of November 2012, although the yellow colored ones are no longer available.[9]
In popular culture [edit]
- The South Park episode A Scause for Applause referenced the Armstrong 2012 doping allegations, as the town is filled with many scam causes (Or "Scauses") all spreading silicone bracelets which were supposed to promote them.
References [edit]
- ^ Livestrong.org, Where the Money Goes, retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "SI.com". CNN. 2004-09-10.
- ^ "Wrist Watch - Fighting Back". Comedy Central. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
- ^ Dr Christopher Baker (20). "Spin: Lance Armstrong’s confession and Livestrong’s future". The Conversation. The Conversation Media Group. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ Michael Pearson, "Lance Armstrong's legacy may withstand accusations", cnn.com, October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ Darren Rovell (10). "Armstrong’s foundation still thriving". ESPN Playbook. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
- ^ "Lance Armstrong Hot Over Collar". TheSmokingGun (2012 TheSmokingGun.com). 13 September 2007. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Tulsa man sues Lance Armstrong Foundation". TulsaWorld (2012, World Publishing Co.). The Associated Press. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- ^ "Help us. Help Animals". Barkstrong.net (Cyberspace Solutions Inc.). Retrieved 6 November 2012.
