New licensing agreement will be brought to life through digital channels, a fall sweepstakes campaign, and on-going integration of Shelly Bean into the SheIS Games
NEW YORK, NY Aug 1, 2019 – SheIS announced today that it will be adding Shelly Bean, an illustrated character from the book series Shelly Bean the Sports Queen, to its ambassador list to help engage young sports fan in girl’s and women’s sports.
Through the new agreement, Shelly Bean will appear on the SheIS website as a listed ambassador, as well as in a series of social posts aimed to engage with parents and their children. SheIS will also launch a fall marketing campaign with the character at the forefront, with the goal of getting kids excited about watching and attending women’s sports.
The character and book series is the brainchild of author and seasoned sports industry professional, Shelly Boyum-Breen. A Minnesota native, Boyum-Breen spent five years coaching high school and college basketball and tennis before going to work with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organization. She was also the Founder of Foundation IX and the Let Me Play grants supporting Minnesota girls’ participation in sports and fitness.
“When I was a very young athlete, I didn’t know what was possible for me. I never saw myself in books or on screen and I certainly didn’t have the opportunity to attend and watch women’s sports events,” said Boyum-Breen. “Shelly Bean the Sports Queen and her friends provide children the opportunity to see themselves. This partnership with SheIS wholeheartedly strengthens that mission. A mission of providing girls and boys with strong, athletic, female role models. I am honored to have Shelly Bean join the SheIS team.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Shelly Bean as a SheIS Ambassador,” said SheIS Co-founder and CMO, Caiti Donovan. “The character and her adventures in sport exemplify the multi-sport, female-led approach that are at the core of what we do. We want to show more young girls and boys that of course girls and women play sports. Introducing them to this concept at a young age helps to normalize that perspective from the start.”
About Shelly Bean the Sports Queen:
A children’s book series (ages 4-9), the lead character Shelly Bean is a sporty, dirty kneed little girl with a “can-do” spirit. It might take falling down, getting hurt and getting back up but Shelly Bean is determined to learn new sports! After watching an event on TV or seeing other kids in the neighborhood play, she gets it in her mind that it is her time to play. It’s not easy for her at first but with the support of her friends and family, she gets back up and tries again. To reward herself each time she’s successful, she creates a new sports charm to put on her crown like a jewel of accomplishment. Shelly Bean the Sports Queen is a role model for all children and you can read her inspirational messages in Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Scores a Soccer Goal, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Skates at the Hockey Rink, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Plays a Game of Catch, Shelly Bean the Sports Queen and the Brave Swim and Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Plays Basketball. www.shellybeanthesportsqueen.com
About Shelly Boyum-Breen:
Author, creator and entrepreneur Shelly Boyum-Breen knew that publishing her book series would be difficult when she learned that less than 2% of children’s books published each year have a female character who is physically active. But that didn’t stop her and in fact, became her motivation. Now she spends her time traveling the U.S. sharing the message of Shelly Bean in schools and to anyone who will listen, really. All kids want to see themselves in books, on the screen and on the field, court, rink or pitch. Her life’s mission is to make that happen through the character and her diverse friends as they role model perseverance. “Rarely are we ever good at something the first few times we try it. But, if we really want it, we’ll get back up and try again. That’s true for sports, music, reading, starting a business, you name it. I want Shelly Bean and her friends to be role models for that.”
About SheIS:
Founded in 2017 and launched to the public on May 1, 2018, SheIS was established with a mission to use the power of sports to create a future of, by, and for strong women. It focuses on the positive attributes of sport to acknowledge and elevate women, and celebrates those who are collective powerhouses and unwavering cheerleaders for their fellow athletes at all skill levels. The SheIS Collective includes leaders from every major sport, and represents the first time in history that all of these sports leagues and organizations have stood together in support of one cause. To learn more, visit www.sheissport.com or follow the team on social media @teamsheis.