Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition all set to debut in India!

Since debuting on January 20, 1964, the Swimsuit franchise has become one of the biggest and most dynamic brands in media and publishing, reaching over 60 million people annually and having several product extensions in digital, social, broadcast, publishing, mobile and consumer products. Consistent with SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's reputation as an arbiter of status, the Swimsuit franchise has transformed models into pop culture icons, among them Elle Macpherson, Rachel Hunter, Rebecca Romijn, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Bar Rafaeli and Marisa Miller.

In 2010, Sonia Dara became the first Indian to be featured in the Swimsuit issue. Recording artist Beyoncé was the 2007 cover girl while several star athletes”including tennis players Steffi Graf, Serena and Venus Williams, Anna Kournikova and Ana Ivanovic; Olympic gold medalists Amanda Beard and Jennie Finch; and Winter Olympians Clair Bidez, Lacy Schnoor, Hannah Teter and Lindsey Vonn”have also graced the pages of the publication.

India's first Swimsuit issue, priced at an introductory invitational price of Rs. 100, features supermodel Irina Shayk on the cover. This year's cover was shot in Hawaii by Bjorn Iooss”son of longtime Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr., who has shot eleven Swimsuit covers during his renowned career.

This year's issue also features 2010 Swimsuit cover model Brooklyn Decker. In addition, Olympic javelin thrower Leryn Franco, surfer Bruna Schmitz and volleyball star Kim Glass look their beautiful best against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Canada.

A bevy of SI Swimsuit platforms beyond the magazine brings the personalities of this year's models to life. In addition to 1,300+ photos and 100+ videos courtesy of www.SI.com/Swimsuit, apps on the iPad, Galaxy, iPhone and Android act as a showcase for everything readers want to know about this year's models.

Piyush Sharma, the Director of Dennis Media Transasia India Ltd, which publishes SI India, said he hoped "India and the increasingly global Indian will embrace the magazine in its launch issue." "I hope our audience will be as excited about the product as we are about bringing it here," said Sharma.

"SI's Swimsuit issue is an iconic brand that personifies the marriage of sports and entertainment," said Kadambari Murali Wade, editor-in-chief, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED INDIA. "It is a celebration of women and of beauty, and is sexy without being tacky."