SEATTLE (March 19, 2024) — Astral, the industry-leading designer of high-performance outdoor equipment and apparel, has retained Verde Brand Communications to lead public relations and brand communications. Since 2002, Astral has earned a reputation for creating superior, unique and necessary equipment for wilderness athletes and explorers in a way that does the least possible harm to people, soil, and water. Astral has selected Verde to amplify its public relations and brand communications with the diverse media community.
Originating in Asheville, N.C. in 2002 with a focus on PFDs (personal flotation devices) for Class V whitewater kayakers, Astral evolved its product and community outreach to include river footwear in 2012 and trail footwear in 2017. Having endured and enjoyed the wild ride of the recent pandemic era, Astral grew to include an additional headquarters office in Seattle in 2020. The expanding brand and customer base has allowed Astral to consider agencies that well represent its strategies going forward, bringing the core brand to new markets.
“With a legacy of excellent PR performance with some amazing brands, coupled with a diversified perspective of employees ranging from Durango to LA to NYC and Seattle, we are really excited to align with Verde Brand Communications for our next seven-year chapter of expansion,” said Philip Curry, CEO and Head of Product for Astral.
Upcoming 2024 releases for spring and summer will continue to uphold the brand’s reputation for pushing the envelope around sustainable and high-performance designs. Astral recently expanded its industry-first bluesign® life jacket collection, with the release of the YTV 2.0™. Forthcoming launches include more paradigm changing life jackets, footwear models and colors, as well as new lines of apparel that integrate less-commonly used textiles and fabrics.
“We’ve seen an ever-increasing trend of consumers gravitating toward brands that align with their values, and the fact that Astral has set sustainability on an equal footing with performance as guiding principles in its operation makes it a brand to pay attention to,” said Julie Evans, CEO of Verde Brand Communications. “We’re proud to partner with such an industry leader.”
For more information about Astral, its products and initiatives, please visit Astraldesigns.com.
About Astral
Established in 2002, Astral designs high performance wilderness equipment created in the least toxic, lowest-impact ways. Built on decades of experience and experimentation, Astral has assembled athletes, artists, and craftspeople to build the cleanest, most beautiful, and highest performing gear. Astral has significantly reduced toxic PVC foam from the PFD industry, invented breathable life jackets, won awards for their paradigm changing footwear designs, and developed the stickiest rubber ever worn on wet rock. Visit www.astraldesigns.com for more information.
About Verde Brand Communications
Verde Brand Communications exists to bring industry-leading marketing services to our clients and passion-driven inspiration to outdoor and active-lifestyle consumers. Verde is an integrated brand communications firm offering public relations, brand strategy and positioning, as well as marketing services in owned and paid media. Verde’s consumer-first, results-driven approach catalyzes growth and success for specialty brands and retailers in the outdoor, cycling, snowsports, endurance, travel, overland and RV, craft beer and spirits, and active lifestyle markets. Verde’s success is tied to the passion our team has for the communities, markets and media that we serve. For more information, please visit www.verdepr.com.
