Gap 'Vote for' Campaign Showcases Minneapolis/St. Paul-Area Residents' Passions This...

Gap 'Vote for' Campaign Showcases Minneapolis/St. Paul-Area Residents'
Passions This Election Season in Store Windows Nationwide
Teacher, Betsy Raguse, Joins Acclaimed Actors, Architects & Political
Activists in Voicing their Passions Via Gap's Fill-In-The-Blank 'Vote For
___.' White T-Shirt

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Gap unveiled the
personalized, creative work of 70 everyday Americans, including Betsy Raguse
of Wheaton, Minn., showing off their "Vote for ____." t-shirts customized to
express their passions this election season. Photographs of these 70
individuals and their fill-in-the-blank t-shirts will be featured in Gap store
windows across the country through Election Day.
Gap recently launched its "Vote for" initiative [http://gap.com/votefor],
featuring its classic white t-shirt that simply says, "Vote for _____." which
serves as a platform for Americans to express themselves during this election
season. Gap is encouraging Americans to fill in the blank with whatever word,
expression or presidential candidate they are passionate about. T-shirts are
available for purchase online at http://gap.com/votefor or in stores
nationwide for $15 now through Election Day, while supplies last, so anyone
can grab a tee and fill in the blank.
Earlier this summer, individuals customized their own t-shirts and
participated in a professional photo shoot at Gap stores in Los Angeles and
New York. Out of the more than 400 participants, Betsy Raguse was selected to
be featured in Gap's campaign based on the creativity and uniqueness she
displayed in voicing her passions by filling in the blank.
Betsy is a teacher now living in New York City. She said this election is
important to her because "I want to have a cleaner Earth ... and keep my job!"
She also said that she is inspired by "children." She can be seen in Gap store
windows nationwide showing off her t-shirt that says, "Vote for Mother Earth,
She Needs You." today through Nov. 4.
"Gap has always been about letting individuals express themselves and with
so many everyday Americans looking to voice their opinions this election
season, we wanted to offer them a nationwide platform to let their voice be
heard," said Ivy Ross, executive vice president of Gap Marketing. "This
campaign is all about real people and real passions, which is why we thought
it was important to include everyday people, like Betsy Raguse, in the
campaign. We were blown away by the enthusiasm and talent that these
individuals put into their t-shirts and we hope their work inspires others to
share their thoughts and ideas."
In addition to the "Vote for _____." t-shirts, Gap is also providing other
ways for Americans to engage with the initiative -- from heartfelt and playful
webisodes and Facebook Flair, to "Vote for" buttons and an original song
called "Songs Of Freedom" by singer/songwriter Matt White.
How Voters Can Participate in "Vote for":
Hear what Thought Leaders and Celebs Vote for at http://gap.com/votefor:
To get voters thinking about what they "Vote for," Gap enlisted the help
of 10 personalities and Thought Leaders to create their own "Vote for" videos
at http://gap.com/votefor. Participants include Bill Maher, Norman Lear,
Cameron Sinclair, Perez Hilton, Mark Cuban, Olivia Munn, Kristen Bell, The
Cool Kids, John Picard and Minka Kelly who "Vote for" a range of passions from
"Imagining New Energy" to "BBQ." Voters can embed their favorite videos on
personal blogs and other websites.
"Songs Of Freedom" by Matt White:
Singer/songwriter Matt White designed his own "Vote for Love." t-shirt,
inspired by his single "Love" off his debut album 'Best Days,' which he wore
throughout his summer tour and in his new music video, "Love." Motivated by
his t-shirt and the "Vote for" campaign, Matt collaborated with Gap on a song
called "Songs Of Freedom," which is all about expressing yourself. The song,
inspired by people in the past who have put a stake in the ground by saying
things that incite thought and conversation, can be heard in Gap stores
nationwide, on http://gap.com/votefor, declareyourself.com, mattwhitemusic.com
and is available on iTunes. Fans can view behind-the-scenes footage of Matt
White writing and recording "Songs Of Freedom" at mattwhitemusic.com
http://gap.com/votefor.
Visit Facebook to Voice Your Passions with Flair and Join Gap's Fan Page:
To show friends what you stand for, Gap has created 300 unique Facebook
"Vote for" buttons that can be added to your profile or sent to friends.
Facebookers can access the gallery of buttons at http://gap.com/votefor,
Facebook's Pieces of Flair application or Gap's Facebook Fan Page.
Additionally, people can join Gap's Facebook Fan Page where they can catch
exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the celebrity "Vote for" shoots, hear
about upcoming Matt White events and receive a special promotional offer for
15 percent off any purchase at Gap.
Purchase Exclusive Artist Buttons:
Gap has enlisted 10 renowned artists including Fab5Freddy, John
Baldessari, Adam Pendleton, Kara Walker, Nate Lowman, John Waters, Deborah
Kass, Assume Vivid Astro Focus, Laurie Simmons and Sean Landers to express
themselves by designing a limited edition "Vote for" button. Beginning Oct.
23, customers can purchase the limited edition buttons in premier Gap stores
nationwide for $5 each with a $1 from every purchase donated to Declare
Yourself, a non-profit and non-partisan campaign encouraging people to
register to vote. Starting Oct. 23, Gap will be auctioning off an exclusive
set of the 10 limited edition buttons autographed by the artists on eBay. All
proceeds from the auction will benefit Declare Yourself.
Visit the Gap Concept Store on NYC's 5th Avenue:
From Oct. 24 through Nov. 4, Gap's New York City concept store, next to
its flagship store at 54th & 5th Ave, will give Americans a chance to express
themselves in a voting booth of a different kind. Visitors to the store can
purchase and create their own personalized "Vote for" t-shirt with Gap's
whimsical t-shirt generator. After casting their vote on how to fill in the
blank -- including color choice, font and "campaign theme song," -- guests can
watch as their blank "Vote for" t-shirt enters the generator and undergoes a
self-expression makeover by a series of robots with their campaign theme song
blasting in the background. Additionally, the videos created by thought
leaders and celebrities featured on http://gap.com/votefor, including Bill
Maher, Norman Lear, Cameron Sinclair, Perez Hilton, Mark Cuban, Olivia Munn,
Kristen Bell, The Cool Kids, John Picard and Minka Kelly, will be playing on
screen in the store for inspiration.
Visit http://www.gap.com/votefor to voice what you're passionate about
today.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing,
accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies
under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names.
Fiscal 2007 sales were $15.8 billion. Gap Inc. operates more than 3,100 stores
in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Ireland.
In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise
agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more
information, please visit gapinc.com.
Media Contacts:

Julia Burgon Kim Terry
SS+K for Gap Gap Marketing & PR
jburgon@ssk.com Kimberly_terry@gap.com
212.419.3331 415.427.4844

SOURCE Gap Inc.

Kim Terry of Gap Inc., Gap Marketing & PR, +1-415-427-4844,
Kimberly_terry@gap.com; or Julia Burgon of SS+K, +1-212-419-3331,
jburgon@ssk.com, for Gap