GRACEKENNEDY SIGNS HANSLE PARCHMENT AS BRAND AMBASSADOR

HANSLE JOINS THE GK FAMILY:   Hansle Parchment (right), Olympic Bronze Medalist, chats with Dahlia Klein, Senior Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister and Nicholas Bramwell, Senior Brand Manager at GraceKennedy Foods.  They are seen at the company's signing of Hansle as GraceKennedy's second Brand Ambassador and the face of the company's aloe vera beverage.  The function took place at Grace's downtown, Kingston headquarters yesterday.

Kingston, Jamaica, June 14, 2013 – Subsequent to signing track and field athlete Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce at its Ambassador in 2008, GraceKennedy has now signed a second - hurdler Hansle Parchment.  The signing took place yesterday at GraceKennedy's Headquarters on Harbour Street. In addition to his role as GraceKennedy Ambassador, Hansle will also be the face of the company's Aloe Vera beverage.

 "We saw Hansle's potential even before his amazing performance in last year's Olympics. So we started discussions with him at that time. We are really pleased to see how tremendously he has grown in the last couple of years as an athlete and as a person," said GraceKennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby. "When we signed Shelly-Ann as our first Ambassador, it was because we felt that she embodied all the values of the GraceKennedy brand – honesty, integrity, commitment, to name a few. We had that feeling early on about Hansle too," he continued. 

"I want to thank GraceKennedy for allowing me to be their brand ambassador," declared Hansle Parchment. "I am blessed and honoured to be associated with a brand that has become a household name and I assure you I will live up to the highest expectations."

Regarding Hansle representing Grace Foods' Aloe Vera beverage, GK Foods CEO, Michael Ranglin noted that the drink is steadily on the rise as far as popularity goes. "When Jamaicans taste this drink, they are always surprised at how delicious and refreshing it is. Add to that the fact that it is good for you, and we have a winning product. A winning athlete and a winning product add up to a winning combination, and we look forward to the gains to be made with Hansle as the face for that beverage," he said.

In her address, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister—for Sport, The Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley observed, "What I admire the most about GraceKenendy is that your company remains committed to giving back and to Corporate Social Responsibility. Grace epitomizes what real partnership and real commitment is all about. Yes we have great athletes and great coaches but without corporate sponsorship many of our bright stars would not shine."

Hansle, a Psychology student at the University of the West Indies, won the bronze medal in the final of the 110m hurdles at the London Olympics in 2012, achieving a new Jamaican record in the process. 

"We know his future is bright. His dedication and drive tell us all we need to know," said Don Wehby. "He could very well be our first hurdles Olympic champion.  We are proud to have him as our Ambassador, and excited about the results of this collaboration."