Robert Louis-Dreyfus, the owner of Adidas AG, "quietly
sealed the deal last week" to acquire the remaining 20% of
Portland-based Adidas America Inc. According to company
officials, the deal will "not alter the Portland operation's
role" as overseer of North American operations and design center
for the entire corporation. Adidas America spokesperson John
Fread: "This will have no effect on day-to-day operations" (Jeff
Manning, Portland OREGONIAN, 3/8).
L.A. GEAR: Two separate ad campaigns break next week
targeting women and young males. The ads are part of the L.A.
Gear's estimated $20M '95 ad budget. (USA TODAY, 3/9). NIKE
IN THE GRAY AREA: Nike is going back to their "Just Do It" theme
in nine new ads the company says goes to "the soul" of their
business. In addition to new Jordan /Spike Lee ads and a spot
featuring an HIV+ marathoner, their latest ad highlights elderly
athletes, Titled "Older Persons, the black-and-white spot shows
"strong, fit older people" with the voiceover: "You'll never
hear me say 'I've fallen and I can't get up'" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
3/9).
REEBOK ON THE MOVE: Reebok Int'l reportedly still wants to
build a new headquarters on state land in Dedham, MA, according
to the BOSTON GLOBE. This comes despite "caution" from state
officials that the sale of the site, currently designated to
become a public park, "carries political risks" (Jerry Ackerman,
BOSTON GLOBE, 3/8).
