Adidas prospects up

Adidas prospects for soccer products are up for 2006, in which Germany will host the World Cup finals. Chief executive Herbert Hainer has said repeatedly that the company expects soccer sales to be in excess of €1 billion this year. The company furthermore expects these sales to remain stable in 2007.

Hainer also told German newspaper Euro am Sonntag that Adidas is contemplating a share split and will pay a dividend for 2005 of at least €1.30 per share. The share split would entice small investors, who have until now been deterred from purchasing shares due to their high price. The split will have to be approved at the next annual general meeting on 11 May.

www.adidas.com
3 January 2006

Adidas forecasts sales rise

Adidas Group raised its annual earnings and sales forecast for 2005, due to rising demands in the U.S. and strong orders for new pr oducts in the run-up to next year's soccer World Cup in Germany. The company expects that net income for Adidas will grow at least 20 percent in 2005. For the third quarter, net income, rose 20.3 percent to 215 million euros, beating analysts' estimates. "Adidas is moving with great vigor toward the World Cup," said Herbert Hainer, chief executive officer of Adidas, during a conference call with analysts Thursday. "We are ready to take on the next big challenge, the integration of the Reebok group."

Adidas, the second-largest activewear firm in the world after Nike, is in the pr ocess of purchasing Reebok International Ltd. to double its share of the U.S. market and narrow the gap with its biggest competitor. Despite Reebok's slumping sales in the third quarter and decreasing orders from retailers such as Foot Locker, Hainer ex pr essed confidence that the Reebok acquisition would boost earnings.

"Clearly, there are challenges that Reebok will solve, but these were not unknown when we made our offer in August and we remain fully confident in the synergies and financial targets," Hainer said. The deal should be concluded in the first half of 2006, following European antitrust ap proval. By region, European sales were flat due to the general economic malaise. The region "continues to be the biggest challenge," Hainer said. Still, he expects demand to gain momentum into next year especially as World Cup pr oducts enter the market. Team jerseys from France , Germany , Japan and Argentina , for example, are expected to hit stores this month. Apart from World Cup pr oducts, Hainer said demand for running shoes and apparel is on the rebound in Europe ."

www.adidas.com
4 November 2005

Stella does tennis whites

Following the huge success of her sportswear line with Adidas, designer Stella McCartney will now include tennis into her range of design talents. "There is not a great-looking, high-performance spin on tennis and it's about time women look stylish on the court," she said.

Meanwhile, H&M may expect mayhem in its stores next month when Stella's one-off collection hits its stores. The launch will begin with a party on 25 October that is expected to attract all the glitterati.

www.adidas.com
13 October 2005

Green light for Adidas-Salomon

German sporting goods group Adidas-Salomon has announced that the obligatory waiting period to take over US-based Reebok has come to an end. The company says it does not expect any further reviews by US competition authorities to take place. In August of this year, Adidas-Salomon and Reebok came to an agreement under which Adidas-Salomon would purchase all outstanding shares of Reebok for approximately €3.1 billion (£2.10 billion).

After the official waiting period, the companies expect the transaction to be completed by the end of the first half of 2006. In 2004 Adidas-Salomon reported sales of €5.9 billion, while Reebok recorded sales of $3.8 billion. Adidas-Salomon is the second largest sporting goods company in the world.

www.adidas-salomon.com
www.reebok.com
5 October 2005

Adidas takes over Reebok

The Board of Directors of the German sporting goods concern Adidas has approved the purchase of American counterpart Reebok, the company announced on Wednesday. The transaction is valued at €3.1 billion (£2.15 billion), including the assumption of net cash of €69 million.

The combined forces of Adidas and Reebok will propel the new Group into the second biggest sportswear company after Nike. The Group will benefit from a wider range of products and a well-defined global presence. With combined 2004 revenues of €8.9 billion, the new Adidas Group has significantly enhanced its competitive edge.

"Today's announcement represents a major strategic milestone for our Group," said Adidas-Salomon Chairman and CEO in a statement. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine two of the most respected and well-known companies in the worldwide sporting goods industry. Adidas-Salomon and Reebok are energetic and growing companies with a shared commitment to innovation, sport performance and sport lifestyle. Together, we will expand our geographic reach, particularly in North America , and create a footwear, apparel and hardware offering that addresses a broader spectrum of consumer and demographics. With Reebok we are advancing our position on the playing field of the sporting goods industry and are improving our financial strength to dirce increased shareholder value."

Hainer added: "We have long respected Paul Fireman and his team for what they have accomplished at Reebok, and we expect them to be an important part of our Group as we bring these two world class organisations together."

"Adidas is the perfect partner for Reebok," said Reebok Chairman and CEO Paul Fireman. "With Adidas, we are able to offer an enhanced portfolio of global brands that truly addresses the needs of today's and tomorrow's consumers. As an aspirational global sports performance and lifestyle brand, Reebok's mission is to enroll global youth through sports, music and technology. This complements Adidas's mission to be the leading sports brand in the world with a focus on performance and international presence. This transaction provides our shareholders with good value for their shares and our employees with an opportunity for an even more exciting future. I am thrilled by the opportunity to work with Herbert Hainer and the Adidas team in our endeavour to take both brands to the next level."

Meanwhile Adidas enjoyed a strong first half, with net income from continuing operations climbing 33 percent to €94 million and net sales up 10 percent on a currency-neutral basis.

www.adidas-salomon.com
>> more Reebok news on FashionUnited
4 August 2005

Trouble in logo land

Due to a new rule enforced by the International Olympic Committee, Adidas will no longer be allowed to use its three-striped logo at the Olympic Games.

The rule states that all branded logos should not exceed 20 sq cm in size. During the last games in Athens in 2004, Adidas had been exempt from the rule. However, even its status as official sponsor of the Games does not spare it from the rule's enforcement at both the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Adidas' argument that it had been allowed to use its logo for so long that it would be pointless to change it now held no sway with the IOC. Neither did its claim that the three stripes were not simply a logo but a basic element of design. The IOC told the Financial Times: "All manufacturers will be treated the same."

www.adidas.com
4 May 2005

Adidas To Sell Salomon

Sportswear giant Adidas has agreed to sell itds Salomon division to Finnish sports equipment firm Amer Sports Corp. for 485 million euros. The sale, to be completed by the end of September, includes the Salomon, Mavic, Bonfire, Arc'Teryx and Cliche businesses, which cater to sports such as snowboarding, cycling and hiking.

Adidas acquired the Annecy, France-based ski and sporting goods firm in 1997. At the time, then-president Robert Louis-Dreyfus touted the transaction as "a major step towards the establishment of the best portfolio of sports brands in the world." But Salomon ran up against a sluggish market for ski equipment and apparel, and high manufacturing costs hampered profitability. Last December, Salomon said it would cut about 160 jobs in France as it shifted production to cheaper Romania and China.

Investors, who have long been calling for Adidas-Salomon to shed the troublesome unit, cheered Monday's news, sending shares in Adidas-Salomon up 7.7 percent to close at 129.30 euros on the Frankfurt stock exchange. The Salomon division saw first-quarter sales decline 9 percent to 112 million euros, or $146.9 million at average exchange rates, from 122 million euros, or $160.1 million, a year ago. Adidas blamed the drop in part on lower sales of inline skates, cycling components, and a general fall in the winter sports category.

www.adidas.com
3 May 2005

Adidas Q1 results

Currency-neutral net sales for the German sporting goods giant Adidas-Salomon Group rose 11 per cent for the first quarter 2005. The first quarter operating profit increased by 27 per cent to EUR179 million (GBP126.75 million) from EUR142 the previous year. The gross margin improved 1,0 percentage points to 46.9 per cent of sales, up from 45.9 per cent the year before. Meanwhile, net income climbed 46 per cent to EUR105 million, compared with EUR72 million in 2004.

Adidas-Salomon Chairman and CEO, Herbert Hainer, said: "Adidas-Salomon has got off to a powerful start in the first quarter of 2005. By every key measure - sales growth, margin improvement and profitability - we've delivered outstanding performance."

Significant growth was achieved in nearly all Sport Performance categories, especially in the Sport Heritage division. Revenues at Salomon decreased by 8 per cent in the first quarter, due to lower sales of inline skates, cycling components and major winter sports categories. Meanwhile TaylorMade-adidas Golf performed strongly, with an increase in revenues of 31 per cent to EUR149 million, mainly due to sales increase in metalwoods, irons, golf balls and apparel categories.

The Group's net borrowings at 31 March 2005 were down by 40 per cent at EUR416 million as opposed to EUR1.045 the year before, thanks to strong bottom-line profitability and continued tight working capital management.

Earnings growth for the full year is expected to reach the mid- to high single digits. Asia and Latin America are generating an increasingly positive outlook, where growth is expected to be in the double digits. North America's growth is expected to hit the high single digits while Europe should reach mid-single digit growth.

"We are off and running hard in 2005. With the highest currency-neutral backlogs in more than two years in North America and the 15th consecutive quarter of double-digit backlog growth in Asia, our position in two of the key growth markets is stronger than ever before," said Hainer.

www.adidas-salomon.com
2 May 2005

Adidas sees European growth

The German sports goods retailer, Adidas-Salomon expects European sales to climb by a single-digit percentage in 2005 despite a recent order decline in the main market. Chief executive Herbert Hainer told Reuters: "We expect sales in Europe to rise only slightly in the first half, but see stronger growth in the second half (adjusted for currency effects)."

Hainer spoke a day after rival Puma announced that it expected sales growth to slow in Europe. "Europe is globally the most difficult region at the moment," said Hainer. Adidas generates approximately half its sales in Europe. As the global number two after Nike, which saw its orders decline in the home market at the end of the third quarter, analysts worried about Adidas's growth chances. Due to a lack of major sports events planned for this year and a slow consumer climate, the industry is faced with a difficult year.

Hainer has also indicated that Adidas would propose raising its dividend "significantly" for 2004. The dividend will be announced at its annual news conference on 9 March. Hainer added that the group would try to achieve double-digit profit growth in 2006, when Germany hosts the soccer World Cup. He confirmed the company's net profit growth forecast of 10% to 15% for 2005. "We have a much better gross margin than in previous few years…and I see no reason why it should fall in 2005 or 2006," said Hainer.
In 2004 the gross margin stood at 47.2%.

www.adidas.com
8 February 2005

Adidas reports good news

The German sportswear concern Adidas-Salomon has reported record 2004 earnings, with sales increases across the board. Based on preliminary figures, sales increased by 7% in currency-neutral terms to EUR6.478 million (GBP 4.62 million). Sales in euros climbed by 3%.

The group's gross margin climbed to its highest level ever at 47.2%, compared with 44.9% during the same period the year before. The numbers reflect a better product mix, a stronger euro and the growth of the company's own retail operations.

The group's net income rose by 21% to EUR314 million, as opposed to EUR260 million in 2003. Adidas attributed its strong performance to its capacity to "deliver significant operating margin improvements". The company aims to increase net income by 10-15% throughout 2005 and has predicted double-digit growth within its Asian operations for the year.

www.adidas.com
31 January 2005

Adidas to sue A&F over stripes

German sporting goods giant Adidas is suing to protect its trademark three-stripe logo, arguing that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. copied the design for its latest line of casual wear apparel featured in an online Christmas catalogue. The offending merchandise includes several pairs of trousers and a zip-up sweatshirt, all adorned with three parallel stripes running down the sleeve and pant leg, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Portland.

Adidas America Inc.asked the court to order the impoundment and destruction of all the offending apparel, as well as any bags, boxes, labels, tags or promotional material that accompanied the merchandise. It's not the first time Abercrombie has attempted to use the three stripes - nor is it the first time Adidas has protested.

In 1996 and again in 2002, Adidas wrote to the New Albany, Ohio-based clothing retailer to complain about apparel which used a lookalike design, according to letters between the two companies included in court documents. In both cases, Abercrombie agreed to stop selling the products, although the retailer emphasized it did not believe the products infringed on the Adidas trademark.

www.adidas.com
12 January 2005

Adidas' new Superstar

Once in while fashion manages to come up with an item that is so enduring in its individual style, quality and overall look, that popular demand soon dictates that it be reintroduced. This time it is Adidas' turn to brighten the streets with a well-loved classic.

The German sporting goods retail giant has launched its Superstar 35 trainer this January. The new trainer commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the original superstar trainer by paying homage to various cities.

The original was designed by Adi Dassler in 1969 and was originally developed for basketball. It was the first of its kind to be produced with a rubber shell toe and became one of the world's most popular sneakers.

The originals were quickly adopted by basketball playing youths in New York in the 1980s. Entire wardrobes were concocted to match the stripes on the sneakers. After a brief reprieve in the late 1980s, the shoe was put back into reproduction in 1991 in response to strong demand. This time skateboarders took to the trainers.

Seven limited edition styles of the sneaker exist, of which the Adi Dassler designed to the most desired. Only 700 of the shoes are being made, of which 300 will be available in Britain for approximately GBP150. In total, seven city styles will pay homage to Berlin, London, Paris, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and Boston for the price of GBP70.

Although the Adidas Originals store in London's Covent Garden have had the Superstar 35 on sale since January 3, Manchester fans will have to wait until January 15th to be able to purchase the trainers.

www.adidas.com
11 January 2005

Pump action

Adidas's new intelligent running shoe has a moter that adjusts the heel's cushioning. Called the Adidas 1, the shoes features a sensor below the heel and a magnet under the midsole. The sensor gauges movement of the magnet (and therefore the compression of the shoe) 1,000 times a second. A microchip then adjusts th cushioning using a motor-driven cable system.

It sounds clunky, but apparently the boffins have their algorithms right and their air bubbles calibrated for soft landings and firm support when and where you need it.
Adidas 1, EUR250,

www.adidas.com
11 December 2004

Adidas opnes new store in London

The German sporting goods group Adidas-Salomon has opened a Sport Performance Store on Oxford Street in London. The store consists of three storeys and 1,200 square metres. There are Performance stores in Marseilles, Toulouse, Las Vegas, Lisbon, Manchester and Osaka. The Group will shortly be opening stores in New York, Berlin, Rome, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

www.adidas-salomon.com
16 November 2004

Decline In European Sales For Adidas

Adidas has seen European sales decline across the third quarter, but a big jump in the US pushed profits for the sportswear brand up 19 per cent. Orders for the Adidas brand fell by 4 per cent in Europe across the quarter, the first decline in almost three years. The company said the main problem was the tough sales environment in Germany and Italy.

Global sales rose by 5 per cent in the quarter to €1.953bn, with net profit of €179m, up from €150m a year ago and ahead of forecasts, thanks to strong growth in Asia and a sales lift in the US. US sales rose 2 per cent year-on-year. However, Adidas will take a hit from its decision to recall supplies of it Superstar Ultra and Pro Team shoe brands, mainly sold in the US, because the heel's inner sole could loosen or break.

Two injuries have resulted from the defect, said Adidas. About 187,000 pairs were sold between January and October in the US. The recall, due to faulty material, will cost the company between $5m and $10m.

www.adidas-salomon.com
4 November 2004

Beckham and Scooby Doo in Adidas Ad

David Beckham is to star alongside Scooby Doo in an animated campaign for Adidas. Beckham is to appear as a ghost who is eventually exposed by Scooby Doo and the rest of Mystery Inc. The advert will be aired from Friday on cable and satellite TV throughout Europe.

www.adidas-salomon.com
1 October 2004

Polo In Court Case Over Adidas

German athletic shoe and clothing maker Adidas has gone to federal court to challenge a Ralph Lauren line of Polo clothing bearing a similar design.

Adidas America Inc, the Portland-based US subsidiary of Adidas-Salomon, filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Polo Ralph Lauren Corp in US District Court in Portland.
Adidas, the number two athletic shoe company in the world after Beaverton-based Nike Inc, claims that a Polo jacket with two stripes on its sleeves bears too close a resemblance to an Adidas jacket with three stripes.

The Polo product "is likely to deceive, confuse and mislead actual and prospective purchasers into believing that apparel sold by (Polo Ralph Lauren) is manufactured by, authorized by, or in some manner associated with (Adidas), which it is not," the August 4 lawsuit said

www.adidas-salomon.com
25 August 2004

New Concept Store For Adidas

Adidas has launched a small concept store in Newburgh Street, London, combining an exclusive retail offer and an exhibition space, in this trendy part of West-Soho.

Developed with the help of design agency project-x, the store aims to captures the essence of the brand, taking retail boutique and making it an exhibition of sporting heroes' footwear.A unique lighting system changes with the mood of each exhibition highlighting its individual theme.

The store is reflects Adidas's commitment to sport and focuses on the combination of the functional aspects of the product and their design and form. Hosting limited edition collections, the store's first exhibition marks the Athens 2004 Olympics with an 'Olympic Archive 1928-1992' which includes Jesse Owen's spikes and Muhammad Ali's boxing boots.

www.adidas-salomon.com
18 August 2004

Adidas To Open On Oxford Street

Adidas is set to open its first store in the UK on Oxford Street in London. The store, opposite Selfridges, will take over the site previously occupied by retailer Benetton, and will be seen as a trial for opening further stores in other locations around the country.

The cost for trading on London's best known shopping street comes at a very high price, and it is reported that Adidas will be paying more than GBP2m a year to landlord Axa Sun Life for rent. This all for the privilege of trading on Oxford Street.

Benetton, reportedly, is to be paying around GBP1m in refurbishment costs in order to convince Adidas to take over the lease.
The Italian fashion brand has occupied the site since 2001. However, like some other European retailers, Benetton has questioned the maths of trading in high profile UK location, with London rents typically much higher than in other European capitals.

www.adidas-salomon.com
16 March 2004

Adidas does not own stripes

Adidas-Salomon AG has suffered a defeat in a legal battle against the Dutch clothing company Fitnessworld regarding the use of its two-stripe logo. Adidas claimed it could be confused with its own famous three-stripe logo.

But the High Court in Brussels on Thursday dismissed Adidas's claim that the logo infringes on its trademark. "The proprietor of a trademark with a reputation cannot prevent the use of a similar sign viewed purely as a decorative motif," the court ruled.

In 2000, Adidas lost another case, against Dutch clothing company Marca Mode CV, which also used stripes on its sportswear.

www.adidas-salomon.com
24 October 2003

Profits rise at Adidas

German sportswear company Adidas-Salomon on Tuesday reported strong profits for 2002 and forecast even more growth for 2003. The results were boosted in particular by strong growth at the TaylorMade unit, with sales increasing by 30 per cent to Euro 707m and the ClimaCool and a3 shoe concepts and basketball business, which together posted a 50 per cent growth for the year. Sportswear sales increased by 3 per cent to Euro 2.3bn, while sports shoes increased sales by 8 per cent to Euro 2.9bn.

Adidas expects strong growth in all of its regions for 2003 as it confirmed the preliminary profits released at the end of January and reiterated its goal of becoming the "global leader in the sporting goods industry". For 2003 the company predicts sales growth of 5 per cent and profit growth in the range of 10 to 15 per cent.

In Europe, sales increased by 4 per cent to Euro 3.2bn despite difficult trading conditions in Adidas's domestic market. In North America, sales rose 8 per cent to Euro 2bn, reversing four consecutive years of sales declines at Adidas America. In Latin America, sales declined by 9 per cent to Euro 163m.

March 13, 2003
www.adidas-salomon.com

First Adidas store opened in Korea

Adidas-Salomon AG opened an Originals store in Seoul, the sportswear maker said this Wednesday.

Korea's first Adidas Originals Store opened in Seoul, Apcujongdong, one of the most prominent and liveliest shopping areas in Korea. The store presents the Adidas spring/summer 2003 Originals collection on 112 square meters.

The Adidas Originals collection is part of Adidas' Sport Heritage Division and represents a fusion of sport authenticity and global street style. The other two divisions making up Adidas' three-divisional structure are Sport Performance and Sport Style.

The first four Adidas Originals Stores are located in Berlin, Tokyo, New York and Osaka.

Macrh 7, 2003
www.adidas-salomon.com

New Adidas stores in Russia

Germany sportswear giant Adidas-Salomon AG plans to open twenty new stores in Russia this year. The company announced this news last Wednesday. The company already operates thirty stores in Russia and on Tuesday, it opened its biggest single-brand outlet in the world in the centre of Moscow.

According to the Russian Vedomosti newspaper, the firm will embark on an ambitious expansion drive this year after Russian sales soared fifty per cent last year to 90 million USD (84 million EUR).

In the United States, Adidas starts a new national branding campaign beginning this month. The campaign uses color to capture the raw emotions of sport and layers it with the 3-stripes, the authentic symbol of sport.

The campaign highlights a range of color and product appealing to athletes and consumers at every level. The global concept utilizes both print and outdoor advertising elements. The concept is a yearlong campaign and will evolve seasonally.

Prints ads are beginning to break in top sport and lifestyle publications. Targeting both men and women the buy includes books like Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine, Maxim, Glamour, Shape and YM.

www.adidas-salomon.com
February 28, 2003

Adidas-Salomon delists from Euronext Paris

Adidas-Salomon AG last Monday said it is set to delist its shares from the Premier Marche on the Euronext Paris SA stock exchange. It said the reason for the withdrawal of shares is low trading volumes.

The last trade in Adidas shares on Euronext will be March 19. Adidas listed in Paris and Frankfurt as part of a dual listing in 1995. Adidas-Salomon remains listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

February 19, 2003
www.adidas-salomon.com

Protest against Adidas

Campaigners demonstrated to back their call for a ban on kangaroo-skin boots worn by David Beckham and other top soccer stars this week. Viva - Vegetarians International Voice for Animals - claim millions of kangaroos are slaughtered by hunters in Australia to make football boots.
Adidas say kangaroo skin is ideal for football boots because it is lightweight and durable. Campaigners want Beckham and his collegues to switch to a synthetic type worn by Brazil and Real Madrid star Ronaldo. Adidas said: "Viva's argument is with the Australian government. Our position is that we only buy kangaroo leather from authorised and legal sources licensed by the Australian government."

February 13, 2003
www.adidas-salomon.com

Earnings grow 10% at adidas-Salomon

Based on preliminary figures published on Thursday, adidas-Salomon sales in 2002 topped 6.5 billion euro, reaching the highest level in the Group's history. This is a 7% year-over-year improvement in euros (2001: 6.1 billion euro) and an 11% improvement on a currency-neutral basis. Currency-neutral sales increased in all regions, growing at double-digit rates in both North America and Asia. Sales grew at adidas and TaylorMade-adidas Golf but declined slightly at Salomon. Gross margin for the Group increased 0.7 percentage points from 42.6% to 43.2% as a result of increased adidas own-retail activities, lower clearance sales and an improving product mix.

Net income for the Group in 2002 increased 10% to 229 million euro versus 208 million euro in the prior year. This result is at the top end of the Group's targeted earnings range. The increase was driven by both higher sales and gross margin improvements. Lower minorities as a result of the Group's acquisition of the remaining shares of adidas Italy also contributed to the earnings improvement.

adidas-Salomon CEO Herbert Hainer stated: "adidas-Salomon delivered top-notch results in 2002. In addition to record sales and double-digit earnings growth, we made important strategic progress as a Group with the development of new technological innovations and improved positioning in key markets, and I'm convinced that this positive momentum will continue in 2003."

January 31, 2003
www.adidas-salomon.com

Shoe-sales drive up Adidas Q3-results

The world's second biggest sportswear maker Adidas-Salomon said on Thursday that solid sales of its three-striped sports shoes helped drive profit growth in the third quarter. It said it was on track to hit its 2002 goals of a five to ten percent earnings rise and a five percent sales increase, with better profit growth possible in 2003.

Adidas said pre-tax profit stood at 220 million euros ($219.1 million) as sales rose four percent to 1.9 billion euros. Footwear, the core of its business, was the driver of sales growth and Asia was the fastest-expanding market.

Adidas makes around a third of its sales in North America and has a long-standing strategy to beef up its slice of the world's biggest footwear market to 20 percent.

November 7, 2002
www.adidas-salomon.com

Adidas appoints 180/TBWA as global agency network

Cohesive creative presence worldwide / Clear commitment to U.S. market / Consistent continuation of global marketing strategy

After a competitive review, adidas announced today that it has appointed TBWA as its global agency network to work alongside its existing agency 180. With immediate effect, the combination of 180 with TBWA will be responsible for all adidas global advertising activities. The objective is to give greater cohesion, consistency and overall effectiveness to the adidas creative presence and brand concepts worldwide.

"By appointing one global agency network, we are continuing our strategy of strengthening the adidas brand worldwide. This represents the next logical step in the evolution of our global brand positioning. With our new footwear innovations, a³ and ClimaCoolT, a cohesive and unmistakable corporate design and now, as an additional key component, a global agency network, we will set distinctive accents in the sporting goods market in future," said Erich Stamminger, Member of the Executive Board of adidas-Salomon AG, responsible for Global Marketing.

Stamminger added: "Our selection of TBWA underlines the clear priority that the U.S. market represents for us." Los Angeles-based TBWA, operating under the name of TBWA/Chiat/Day, is the leading creative agency in the U.S. consumer market. In recent years, the agency has won nine Grand Effies for effectiveness in the USA, six more than its closest competitor. TBWA's accounts include global brands such as Sony Playstation, Apple and Nissan.

The Amsterdam-based creative agency 180 has been working for adidas since 1998. In this period, 180 has been responsible for prize-winning global adidas campaigns including "Take what you want" (1999), the Olympic advertising campaign "Horses and Boats" (2000) and "adidas makes you better" (2001).

"With the combination of creativity that 180 has already displayed for adidas in numerous campaigns and the highly creative profile offered by TBWA worldwide, we are creating the platform for driving our communications to new heights," said Neil Simpson, Head of Global Brand Concepts and Global Advertising at adidas. "This alliance opens up for us new horizons in the creativity, efficiency and effectiveness of our global advertising presence."

Lee Clow, Chairman and Worldwide Creative Director of TBWA, stated: "We are excited and proud to partner with 180 and create work for one of the most important and authentic brands on the planet."
http://www.adidas-salomon.com
9 jan 2002

Salomon Acquires Canadian Outdoor Specialist Herzogenaurach

Salomon, the "Freedom Action Sports" unit of adidas-Salomon, announced today that a contract to acquire Canadian outdoor specialist Arc'teryx Equipment Inc. has been signed. Through this transaction Salomon expects to expand its presence in the fast-growing new sports and outdoor categories. Financial terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.

Salomon's mission is to provide cutting-edge products for the sports that are based on unrestricted sensation, style and adventure. In the years ahead apparel and footwear will lead the growth of Salomon. Salomon expects to expand and develop its presence in North America and its technical apparel business.

Vancouver-based Arc'teryx, founded in 1991, specializes in technical outerwear and layering systems, performance backpacks and climbing equipment. Arc'teryx posted sales of 18 million Euros in 2000. "Arc'teryx provides outdoor enthusiasts and professionals with the highest performing and technically advanced equipment possible," says Jean-Luc Diard, President of Salomon.

"Arc'teryx has an excellent management team. We have full confidence in this team's ability to achieve significant growth for the Salomon and Arc'teryx brands." "We needed someone who agreed that pushing the limits of what is technically possible is the essence of our success and is committed to fueling that vision," says Jeremy Guard, President of Arc'teryx. "With its historical focus on active sports and top performance, Salomon is a great partner to help us move forward."
http://www.adidas-salomon.com/
12/04/2001