The highly anticipated
2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featuring cover model
Marisa Miller hits newsstands today. The annual winter spectacular features 19 of the most glamorous supermodels pictured in visually dynamic photo spreads, all set in unique and exotic locations from around the world. A rare and powerful combination of beauty and imagination, the SI Swimsuit franchise is the gold standard in publishing, this year's issue will be read by a global audience of 69 million people and there will be more than 250 million page views on SI.com/swimsuit.
A seven-year veteran of the Swimsuit Issue, Miller makes her first cover appearance in a photo taken by Raphael Mazzucco during a two-day shoot on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, last October. Joining Miller in the issue are several other swimsuit favorites, such as Brooklyn Decker,
Selita Ebanks,
Bar Refa'eli, Tori Praver, Daniella Sarahyba, Irina Shayk, Anne V,
Ana Beatriz Barros,
Heidi Klum and
Jessica White each featured in unique pictorial essays.
NFL Cheerleaders make their debut in Swimsuit 2008 and the wildly popular bodypainting masterpieces return for the 10th time. Look for Will Ferrell in character as Jackie Moon from his new movie Semi-Pro together with Heidi Klum in a raucous treatment. IRL sensation and "Traffic Stopper" Danica Patrick makes her Swimsuit debut and yes, athletes wives show it off again!
"This is a visually powerful issue with numerous surprises that underlines the very best of the Swimsuit issue heritage," says Terry McDonell, Editor, Sports Illustrated Group. "Creative Director Steve Hoffman, Swimsuit Editor Diane Smith and Senior Editor Chris Stone have topped themselves blending the tradition of the Swimsuit franchise with new themes and treatments that are spectacular."
The Cover Unveil: The unveiling of the Swimsuit cover model has become a signature moment in popular culture since 1995. Immediately after the conclusion of the Super Bowl the countdown begins toward the Swimsuit launch when the world learns the identity of the new cover model. Last night the issue's cover was revealed by David Letterman during The Late Show as a three- story billboard featuring Miller's cover was unveiled to a nationwide TV audience. Additionally, thousands gathered at "Cover Reveal Viewing Parties" held at over 100 locations around the country.
Swimsuit Digital: In conjunction with the magazine's release, the SI Digital Group launched a multimedia engine on SI.com/swimsuit last evening. "Every model, every shoot with video" is the motto of SI.com's behind-the- scenes coverage which comprises more than 60 video clips totaling over 100 minutes of video including footage from all 19 supermodels, NFL Cheerleaders, Danica Patrick and athletes wives' shoots.
Additionally, one can read model diaries, watch hilarious footage from the Ferrell/Klum shoot as well as view seven one-woman acts entitled Before They Were Models. In these vignettes, the models perform improv scenes from their previous (fictitious) lives. If all of this video doesn't satisfy your fix, Swimsuit fans can create their own highlight reel through the new "SI Video Mash-up" feature which allows users to take online clips from each of the dozen swimsuit photo shoots and edit them into a 45-second movie with music.
The site will also include over 1,500 exclusive photos, a body painting feature, cover galleries, a digital calendar download and archives of past issues as well.