adidas AG has formed adidas Golf U.S.A., Inc. to market
footwear, apparel and accessories in the U.S. The company
will be located in Portland, OR, and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of adidas AG. Ric Long, a former adidas Senior
Manager, has been named President of the golf division. The
company's marketing strategy includes the release of a
Spring '98 print ad campaign. Product development will
remain centralized at adidas AG in Germany (adidas).
TOUGH TALK ON MLB: Steve Wynne, President & CEO of
adidas America, is interviewed in SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS
and discusses the company's marketing deal with the Yankees
and its relationship with MLB. On the Yankees deal, Wynne
says, "we looked at a team that had some of the same
characteristics that we do as a brand. ... a strong athletic
heritage but with a very clear identity as standing for some
of the best things in the sport." Wynne, on MLB: "We don't
really have a relationship with MLB. I think [MLBE CEO]
Greg Murphy early on in his tenure elected to do business
with Nike and Reebok and first with Nike. We met with Greg
Murphy, who was not in my mind the least bit hospitable to
doing business with us" (SGB, 6/2).
BACK IN BLACK? In TENNIS magazine, Peter Bodo writes
that the adidas "three-stripe motif is not only back, but
looking as contemporary, elegant and simple as ever. ...
Everyone from Anna Kournikova to gangsta rappers to cyber-
hipsters is wearing the three stripes." Bodo adds when Nike
signed Andre Agassi, "consumer buying patterns changed
radically." Claus Marten, adidas' Int'l Promotions Manager:
"It all began when they let Agassi walk on court in denim
shorts. From that day on, the door was open. There is no
tennis uniform anymore. And if you can wear what you want,
and buy it anywhere you want, it cuts into the business of
selling clothing designed for tennis" (TENNIS, 7/97 issue).
