Global athletic leader and TCS New York City Marathon footwear and apparel sponsor, New Balance, has unveiled their 2019 marketing campaign via digital marketing and out-of-home advertising.  As the brand enters the third year being the official footwear and apparel sponsor for NYRR it will launch the NB Pizza Co., a temporary pop-up location in Murray Hill at 47 East 34th Street that will open to the public on Friday, October 11th and every weekend thereafter leading up to and including marathon weekend.

The fully integrated campaign includes real runners, NB Pizza Co. pop-up activation, official footwear, apparel and accessories, out-of-home advertising, digital, social engagements and an on-course block party.

“What better way to engage with runners in NYC and around the world, then to offer them delicious NY pizza as a reward for their training,” said Tom Carleo, VP of Running at New Balance. “We are excited to open our very first New Balance pizzeria and look forward to welcoming runners to exchange their miles for slices. We hope NB Pizza Co. will motivate runners through their last few weeks of training, offering a unique escape and a place for the running community to come together with our brand and support each other.”

The NP Pizza Co. pop-up location builds on the Runaway Pub that was part of the 2019 New Balance
“Everybody’s Race” campaign at the London Marathon, where runners could cash in miles for pints.Runners from around the world can join the “Miles for Pizza” Challenge through the Strava App and log miles from wherever they are, then cash those in when they arrive in New York and visit the NB Pizza Co. shop during operating hours. Runners in NY will have additional opportunities to cash in their miles on the weekends leading up to the race.

To start earning free pizza runners can download the Strava App, join the “Miles for Pizza” challenge, which ends November 4th, and start running. To cash in those miles, runners can visit the NB Pizza Co. pop-up and show staff the miles logged in the Strava App and redeem for free pizza provided by L’Industrie Pizzeria in Williamsburg. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the NB Pizza Co. will offer regular programming including Friday Happy Hour Run, Saturday Long Runs and Single Sundays where the first 50 runners to join receive a free branded singlet.

For more information on the NB Pizza Co. please visit www.newbalance.com/milesforpizza and runner’s joining the regular programming are asked to engage with the brand by tagging @newbalancerunning or @newbalance.

Miles for Pizza Calculator:

*   5 Miles = 1 Slice
*   10 Miles = 2 Slices
*   25 Miles = 2 Slices
*   50 Miles = 4 Slices
*   75 Miles = 6 Slices
*   100 Miles = Full Pizza

NB Pizza Co. Hours of Operation:

*   Friday – 5:30-9PM (Oct. 11th, Oct. 18th, Oct. 25th, Nov. 1st)
*   Saturday – 9AM-9PM (Oct. 12th, Oct. 19th, Oct. 26th, Nov. 2nd)
*   Sunday – 9AM-9PM (Oct. 13th, Oct. 20th, Oct. 27th)

*   Race week hours are:
*   Thursday, October 31st – 5:30-9PM
*   Friday, November 1st – 9AM-9PM
*   Saturday, November 2nd – 9AM-9PM
*   Sunday, November 3rd – 3PM-9PM
*   Monday, November 4th – 9AM-5PM

New Balance will once again transform the expo experience by bringing the streets of New York to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The famous storefront shopping experience found throughout New York City will be brought to life on the expo floor with hero displays drawing attention to the collectors Marathon Windcheater Jacket and pinnacle Capsule Collection. To further honor the runner’s journey, New Balance will create a sensory experience that allows runners to engage with the brand through various photo opportunities as they exit the retail space at the expo. Visitors to the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance can expect this elevated shopping experience without the inconvenience of a long checkout line, average wait times last year were less than 8 minutes.

For race day New Balance will once again host a block party at mile 16 featuring the Brooklyn United drumline. Joining the Brooklyn United drumline this year to cheer on and encourage runners as they take on the last few miles of the race are Fogo Azul NYC (an all-female Brazilian Samba drumline), DJ Cory Townes, Cobra Performing Arts Majorettes drumline and dance line, the Pinettes (an all-female brass band) and Ltrain Brass Band. In addition, New Balance will be handing out free swag including branded cow bells and foam sneaker signs to spectators.

New Balance will blanket the city in the marketing campaign creative with out-of-home advertising starting October 28th, including the ABC Super Sign, Footlocker and Champs digital signs in Times Square. The New Balance TCS New York City Marathon Collection began launching on September 19th and is available at select retailers, including the NYRR RUNCENTER Featuring the New Balance Run Hub, New Balance Flatiron, New Balance Upper East Side and www.newbalance.com with suggested retail pricing ranging from $30 for graphic t-shirts to $285 for the lifestyle capsule, NYC Marathon Sport Style Heat Down Men’s Parka.