DENVER, CO, Apr 10 (Marketwired) --  
 
MusclePharm Corporation (OTCQB: MSLP), a nutritional supplement company 
 
focused on active lifestyles, announced today it continues to see 
 
strengthening demand for its line of branded sports nutritional products 
 
in international markets. 
 
 
 
    During the year ended December 31, 2012, gross sales of MusclePharm 
 
products in international markets grew to approximately $27 million, an 
 
increase of over 550% as compared to gross sales of $4 million in 2011. 
 
In 2012, international sales accounted for approximately 35% of overall 
 
sales, up from 19% in 2011.  
 
 
 
    The Company views Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Middle 
 
East as key international markets where near term growth is expected to 
 
accelerate. As a result of MusclePharm's marketing and sponsorship 
 
partnership with the UFC, the Company's line of sports supplements has 
 
been a beneficiary of a number of very successful international UFC 
 
events. 
 
 
 
    Moreover, MusclePharm has recently increased its marketing efforts in 
 
Australia, a market the Company views as very promising. As part of that 
 
marketing campaign, MusclePharm has signed an endorsement deal with the 
 
Australian rugby superstar, Quade Cooper. As part of the relationship, 
 
Cooper will represent MusclePharm in a series of advertisements, media 
 
appearances, and social media outlets.  
 
 
 
    The 25-year old Quade is arguably the most exciting and electrifying 
 
rugby player in the world. Playing fly-half for the Queensland Reds, 
 
Quade delighted Reds fans in 2011 finishing the season with a record 228 
 
points, besting the previous record of 171 points which he also set in 
 
2010. Quade holds many of the Queensland Rugby records including most 
 
points scored (31) by a Reds player in a single Super Rugby match. Quade 
 
also boasts a strong social media following with 544,000 Twitter 
 
followers, 104,000 Facebook followers and 86,000 Instagram followers. 
 
 
 
    Commenting on the announcement, MusclePharm Founder & CEO Brad Pyatt 
 
stated, "It is encouraging to see how the popularity and awareness of the 
 
MusclePharm brand has increased throughout the international markets. Our 
 
relationship with UFC gives us a tremendous advantage in the 
 
international markets where UFC interest has taken off. We anticipate 
 
continued robust sales growth in international markets in 2013. 
 
 
 
    Pyatt continued, "Quade Cooper is a true international superstar in the 
 
world of rugby. His powerful body and overall ruggedness are 
 
representative of the MusclePharm brand. We purposefully timed the Cooper 
 
relationship with our accelerating international presence in the sports 
 
nutrition market." 
 
 
 
    This is the second professional athlete endorsement deal MusclePharm has 
 
recently announced. Last month, the Company announced a multi-year 
 
endorsement deal with the NFL San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl quarterback 
 
Colin Kaepernick.  
 
 
  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/idU...KW20130410