Wilhelmina Models and JCPenney Team Up To Launch Shaquille O'Neal's Big & Tall Model Search

NEW YORK, March 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wilhelmina Models is partnering with JCPenney and its big & tall style ambassador, Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal, to launch "Shaquille O'Neal's Big & Tall Model Search presented by JCPenney." Through this unique collaboration of industry leaders, the nationwide model search addresses a growing need in the fashion industry for big & tall models.  One-third of American men today identify as either big, tall or big and tall, representing ten percent of the U.S. menswear business¹.

"When I launched the Shaquille O'Neal XLG collection exclusively at JCPenney, it was a challenge to find big and tall guys to model for the campaign, so we asked our friends at Wilhelmina to hit the streets to find a few good men who are larger than life," said O'Neal. "Through this exciting partnership with Wilhelmina and JCPenney, we're hosting the biggest and tallest model search around to help big, sexy guys like me finally get the recognition they deserve."

Big and tall men can enter the contest and find more information, including size requirements, online at ShaqJCPModelSearch.com, now through April 28. Live casting call events will also be held in the following JCPenney store locations:

• Atlanta: JCPenney at the South Point Shopping Center in McDonough, April 11 from 5 – 8 p.m. ET
  • Shaquille O'Neal will be making a personal appearance at this event to meet big and tall men interested in becoming the next Titan.
• Los Angeles: JCPenney at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, April 18 from 5 – 8 p.m. PT
• Dallas: JCPenney at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, April 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. CT

Winners from the Shaquille O'Neal Big & Tall Model Search will be signed to Wilhelmina's "Titan" division of big and tall male models. The winners will also be featured alongside O'Neal in the JCPenney fall marketing campaign, wearing O'Neal's namesake collection along with the retailer's popular big & tall private brand, The Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co.

"We're proud to partner with Shaquille O'Neal and JCPenney to provide more opportunities for big and tall models," said Bill Wackermann, CEO of Wilhelmina Models. "Wilhelmina is founded on the philosophy that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."

About Wilhelmina International, Inc. (www.wilhelmina.com):
Wilhelmina, and its other subsidiaries, is an international full-service fashion model and talent management service, specializing in the representation and management of leading models, celebrities, artists, photographers, athletes, and content creators. Established in 1967 by fashion model Wilhelmina Cooper, Wilhelmina is one of the oldest and largest fashion model management companies in the world. Wilhelmina, a publicly traded company, is headquartered in New York and, since its founding, has grown to include operations in Los Angeles, Miami, London and Chicago. Wilhelmina also owns Aperture, a talent and commercial agency located in New York and Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.wilhelmina.com and follow @WilhelminaModels.

About JCPenney:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nation's largest apparel and home retailers, combines an expansive footprint of over 860 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful e-commerce site, jcp.com, to deliver style and value for all hard-working American families. At every touchpoint, customers will discover stylish merchandise at incredible value from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Reinforcing this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of approximately 98,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company's mission to help customers find what they love for less time, money and effort. For additional information, please visit jcp.com.

¹ *Source: The NPD Group

Media Contacts:

Wilhelmina
Andrea Willis
[email protected] 
(212) 271-1686

JCPenney
Sara Lockler
[email protected] 
212-358-4432

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SOURCE Wilhelmina International, Inc.