NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc., the magazine and website for growing companies, announced today that it has named Zumba® Fitness "Company of the Year."   Zumba Fitness, a global phenomenon that fuses fitness and entertainment into an exhilarating dance-party experience, continues to make headlines by being an innovative force in the fitness industry, focusing on growth opportunities for Zumba instructors who in return inspire better fitness and change lives.

"A hearty congratulations to Zumba Fitness, Inc.'s 2012 Company of the Year," said Inc. editor Eric Schurenberg. "Zumba is remarkable because it is as good at unleashing what it calls FEJ—freeing, electrifying joy."

Zumba, which was launched in 2001, is now the largest branded fitness program in the world, reporting more than 14 million weekly class participants, in over 140,000 locations, across more than 150 countries.  Founded by Alberto Perlman (CEO), Alberto Aghion (COO) and Beto Perez (CCO), Zumba's growth is fueled by an unprecedented brand experience that transcends into multiple categories within the fitness, entertainment and digital spaces. 

"Inc. is known as the magazine for entrepreneurs and at Zumba we are driven by a global army of entrepreneurs, our Zumba Fitness instructors. This honor belongs to them," said Perlman.  "We are in the business of making people's lives better and it's the unwavering passion and commitment of our instructors, employees and partners throughout the world who have helped take us from a start-up in 2001 to the Inc. 'Company of the Year' in 2012." 

In addition to live classes, a top selling video game franchise (8 million sold), DVDs and apparel, Zumba Fitness continues to push the envelope with cutting-edge products, experiences and charitable efforts. The Zumba music platform launches artists, music videos/choreography and compilation CDs, including two that recently exceeded platinum status in Europe. Its live class experience has expanded into Fitness Concerts™ and specialty programs that target kids to active older adults. Zumba has also raised more than $4 million for charities via Zumbathon^® charity events. While the inclusive brand continues down the path of innovation, at its core will always be smiling faces and a mission to make its instructors successful.

For more information about Zumba Fitness programs and products, or to find a live class, visit zumba.com.

To view the Inc. articles, please visit the links below.

http://www.inc.com/company-of-the-year

http://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/leigh-buchanan/zumba-fitness-company-of-the-year-2012.html

About Zumba Fitness, LLC

Zumba^® Fitness is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout.  Coined "fitness-parties," Zumba classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, which provide effective, total-body workouts. Founded in 2001, the company is now the largest branded fitness program in the world -- reporting more than 14 million weekly class participants, in over 140,000 locations, across more than 150 countries. In addition to its original Zumba^® program, the company also offers a range of specialty classes, including Zumba Gold^® (for active older adults), Zumba^® Toning (body-sculpting class that uses maraca-like Toning Sticks), Aqua Zumba^® (the ultimate "pool party" workout), Zumbatomic^® (Zumba routines for kids), Zumba Sentao™ (chair-based Zumba class that strengthens, balances and stabilizes the core), and Zumba^® in the Circuit (a 30-minute workout that combines signature Zumba^® moves with circuit training at timed intervals). The Zumba^® fitness lifestyle is rounded out by the company's many consumer product offerings, including DVD sets, music collections, multi-seasonal apparel and footwear, video games, Fitness-Concert™ events and a lifestyle magazine.  For more information about Zumba Fitness programs and products, or to find a live class, visit zumba.com and find us on Facebook and Twitter.

A quick note about the Zumba^® trademark

The word ZUMBA^® was coined by our company and is the brand name for our fun and effective fitness program that combines easy-to-follow moves with invigorating Latin and international rhythms. When referring to ZUMBA® we ask that you please keep in mind the following to protect the thousands of instructors worldwide who make their careers teaching Zumba Fitness classes:

Please do not:

• Use Zumba as a verb -- for example, "once you zumba, you'll be hooked."
• Use Zumba as a noun -- for example, "zumba is my favorite exercise."
• Use Zumba as a generic term -- for example, as a name for a fitness program "My gym offers zumba."

Instead, please do:

• Capitalize the letter "Z" or the whole word "ZUMBA"
• Refer to "the Zumba Fitness program," "Zumba class," "Zumba instructor" etc. – for example "The Zumba Fitness program is the most fun you'll ever have while working out" or "I love my Zumba instructor, she's the best."
• Use the ^® symbol on the right hand shoulder of the word Zumba^® - especially in headers and title

About Inc.

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies. It delivers actionable solutions for today's innovative company builders. Total monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over 6,000,000. For more information, visit www.inc.com.  

About Mansueto Ventures

Mansueto Ventures is a publishing company dedicated to serving the business leaders who are shaping the future of today's economy. Mansueto Ventures publishes Inc. and Fast Company, brands with different audiences but similar challenges and goals. The company was founded in 2005 when Joe Mansueto bought Inc. and Fast Company. Through a full complement of print, online, events, custom publishing and integrated marketing solutions, Mansueto Ventures offers the world's leading advertisers the unique ability to build their brands and move their products within the fast-growing business sector. For more information, visit www.mansueto.com.

SOURCE Zumba Fitness