Signing Off On Adidas News

Today, I am signing off on this WONDERFUL Adidas blog but before I wish you my final farewell, I would like to leave you with one last interesting update regarding the company.

With "Adidas (being) the global leader in soccer merchandise and (having) partnered with the world's greatest soccer clubs and federations"its no wonder Adidas has decided to join forces with Rush Soccer.  Rush Soccer is one of the world's leading and largest youth soccer clubs in the world, which includes 32,000 nationwide players and 6,000 international players, in addition too 27 clubs covering 26 states in the U.S. Adidas goal for partnering with the club is to provide the next generation of American soccer athletes with enhanced soccer skills through international and national clinics and competitions, as well as with coaching at the Real Madrid Youth Academy. Adidas will provide all Rush athletes within the United States with cutting-edge uniforms and gear. I think this is a wonderful collaboration and Im certain that within due time we'll all be hearing about star soccer players that got their start within the Rush Soccer Club.

Farewell, Nicole S

http://www.rushsoccer.com/index.php/7-front-page-slides/951-adidas-partners-with-top-youth-soccer-club-rush-soccer

Adidas did get into the e-commerce playing field way before alot of other top companies, but is it enough to raise their sales and become the best shoe company ever again? Retails stores are not doing well these days and I hope that doesn't mean any of my favorites will be only available online? According to a recent report it does look like our future may mean less lines and fewer stores, but E-Commerce is king! The suggestions that companies with a high Digital IQ rankings sell more products than ones without. Even though it's still too early to tell and link up this hard data, it does seem that you can never over-commit capital to e-commerce. We'll see if after NYU's Stern School of Business does further analysis showing if the business performance like share prices and other metrics marks successful exploited online sales or not. 30% to 70% is really a big jump of sales growth in e-commence that a successful company just can't ignore. sesconference.com Sandi Jones

 

When you think of Jello, Kraft, and Adidas are any bells ringing? No, my guess is, but you are very wrong indeed! Matter of fact they have alot in common when it comes to connecting to consumers, that's where they meet. Advanced technologies mean lucrative profits and a chance for advertisers to reach you one more way besides the traditional ways we all know. No, not a new social media site, or a e-mail based reach, but one that uses facial detection software to read your face by using a set of points and measurements between features. This new form of advertising was developed to measure age range, gender, and mostly importantly your attention-level when passing by.                                                                                     After you pass by and see a 40-second clip you would either be directed to a website or go even further by collecting your data of if you are very happy, sad, healthy, ill, nervous or relaxed.
Scary, maybe, but the new Internet motion-sensing TVs that identify the user and his built by Microsoft Kinect really is shocking to know that it's being used to put together the whole platform to create "audience engagement"just to see if their really paying attention or not. OK, then how about vending machines that sell things like headsets to Pepsi? Adidas, Jello, and Kraft are using the facial detection to judge on your appearance what else you might purchase, then suggest their product after a few other things you might statistically more likely to buy. Just makes me wonder....what's next? Sandi Jones

NBA christmas carols?!

Remember my post from before Thanksgiving break about the new BIG Color jerseys made by Adidas for the NBA? Well here they are.. in action!! The commercial above features Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson and Russell Westbrook dribbling to the Christmas classic, "Carol of the Bells" wearing none other than their new (and very bright) christmas gear. The monochromatic uniforms are flashy and the players are pretty in tune with the song, but I just can't help but to wonder how many times it took them to get this down.

If anyone is interested, the newj erseys are retailing for $90 at NBA.com

-Corinne

 

Stella McCartney for Adidas Is Here!!!

Stella McCartney for Adidas is here just in time for winter. The collection consists of trendy ski, snowboard, as well as outdoor fitness separates. Ms. McCartney stated, "I love the winter sports collection! I think we are one of the few collaborations out there of this kind in the ski world that is really doing something that looks sexier and a bit more fashionable. We are working hard each season to have slightly more body conscious pieces that are for the downhill slalom look and then we have slightly looser pieces for the snowboarder type." (news.addidas.com)

I recently checked out the Winter Wonderland as well as the outdoor fitness collection by Stella McCartney, for Adidas and I love both collections. The collections include an array of colors from deep blues, powder pinks, in addition too neon greens and oranges. Her designs incorporate beauty and sex appeal through apparel that enhances women's assets. The one flaw that I found with her collection is the prices of some items; for example a ski hat or graphic tank each costs $60. To see the complete line in its entirety, please visit http://www.adidas.com/us/adidas-by-stella-mccartney/_/N-1z13svo

Truly Yours, Nicole S

 

August 2011 Adidas started a new blog that will gives you a closer view of the inner workings of their marketing projects, daily task, and experiences while working at Adidas. The post that caught my attention was the one that Jan Runau, the chief corporate communication officer wrote about the blog, "This blogs objective is to give you a personal and holistic picture of the company behind the brands." The in-house staff of Adidas from several different departments come together & uploads several post a week on-line; keeping the 'corporate' blog going strong by showing the social aspect to the operations. A way to get to know the athletes is  to connect consumers to the product, Adidas has done just that with letting you get inside the head of gorgeous, talented David Beckham and showing a human aspect to the sport.  I say good luck to them because the social media bug has it"s encouragements that need to be made to stay in touch with reality to the fans who really count. officialadidas@store.com Sandi Jones

 

Even though Adidas was official sponsor of 2012 Olympics, Nike still found a way around buying promotional Twitter ads using game related tags. The non-sponsored Nike brand still held 7.7% of total conversations about the London Olympics with Adidas having the better position at only 0.49% of social media. They used tactics that worked by knowing that a mere suggestion of being the event sponsor might be believable since Nike dominates when it comes to what associations most make when it comes to being recognized most. To Ambush Adidas's marketing campaign was their objective and that they did without walking on the line! The digital space can be stopped even though game organiser Locog tried to limit brand relating activities. We all know it can't stop people from making the Nike/Olympics connection and ignoring the fact Adidas spent over 100,00 ML on ads just to beat out Nike. Look at the way marketing can and can't work in today's times and money may not matter.Using Mo Farah with the Twitter tag #makeitcount leads you down a misleading road that is the kind of marketing strategies a top brand has to stay the cherry-on-the-top! I guess digital agency Jam found the research to be true, and it's back to the drawing board for Adidas and all the other 670 ML spent by paid sponsors? Their competition Nike spent much on traditional media with hundreds of billboards in London and on all over T.V. featuring hashtag #indgreatness. Even though Adidas spent tens of millions on hashtag  #takethestage people were still confused who was the real sponsors. Judge for yourself I say! Sandi Jones

First Bieber, Now Selena!

Both Bieber and Ms.Gomez have 

gone green with NEO fever! Bieber was chosen as the face of NEO a little over a month ago and today announcements as well as advertisements throughout the city of Los Angeles were displayed of their new guest designer, Selena Gomez. Selena Gomez, actress, singer, and designer, was chosen because her exciting and adventurous lifestyle not only captivate teens, but because she fits the Adidas NEO brand too; NEO is a lifestyle brand incorporating fun and effortless looks. 

    

                                         Selena stated “This is something that's always been

 important to me and is important to my fans, too: knowing they can express themselves through wearing whatever clothes they want and feel good about themselves. I am really enjoying being involved with the design process.” Selena Gomez's three-year partnership with the corporation includes outdoor campaigns and other forms of advertisement, as well as guest designer (her designs will be debuted in the Fall/Winter 2013 NEO collection). For more information on Selena Gomez and all things NEO, please visit http://www.adidas.com/com/neo/

 Truly Yours, Nicole S

http://news.adidas.com/GLOBAL/STYLE/adidas-neo-label-signs-selena-gomez-as-new-style-icon-and-designer/s/db87e16b-aa10-47c2-aed7-55dbee4ae744

 

Adidas has to keep-up with the Joneses as it seems when it comes to added value as a manufacturing company, not marketing business enterprise. The expectations are never ending to be always producing the lastest--technology innovations that most competitors can't come near. They focus on tailor-made high performamce products to meet the needs of each customer. Another reason why Adidas takes their company's policy to heart as they use branding goals that uses specific target marketing to each individual customer. For example, a promotional method they use is by having popular sports idols and celebrities, then associate themselves with Adidas. This high source of revenue is then generated and directly influences the comfort of this recognizable brand and makes the quality seem more trust worthy. The last thing they do is use high levels of customer involments that lead to more loyality. The feedback they get is one main key into their secert to success. The long-term benefits are cost effective and they fulfil all the needs they find with regular intervals, customer questioniers; on-line and in-store, and handouts on market streets. To me it seems being second to a monster like Nike, can't be a life long term when they get what you want, when you want it.business-strategy-comptition.knoji.com Sandi Jones

Unaware that Adidas makes optical glasses, I recently found the entire line of frames very intriguing. In addition too Adidas eyewear which includes performance frames for sports such as running, biking, snowing, and golf, the company makes frames as well as optical lenses for both adults and youth. Both the performance and original lenses provide protection from the weather, a higher concentration, and are made with high-tech innovations and materials. Adidas was recently acknowledged for their tourpro golf glasses with a Silmo d'Or award (Silmo d'Or is an annual optical trade exhibit, which recognizes products with superior quality and for its originality, performance, and science).

 

The one flaw I found with the company in regards to the eyewear line is it that there is so little information on the website about how to purchase the frames. The website includes pictures as well as information about the line, but to receive information about purchasing a pair of frames, a customer must submit a message or can be given the address to their nearest Adidas location (which still doesn't guarantee that the particular store given sales the frames). To see the entire eyewear line for yourself, please visit http://www.adidas.com/Eyewear/content/en/

 

Truly Yours, Nicole S

 

Athletes in BIG color

Today Adidas unveiled the new uniforms that NBA athletes will be wearing during the 2012 christmas games. The colorful, monochromatic uniforms are part of the 65 year celebration of christmas games.

NBA Executive Vice President Global Merchandising, Sal LaRocca said that “BIG Color gives our players an enhanced look on the court and highlights one of the most visible dates during our season with a new and exciting range of products.”

The products don't stop at the jersey, nor are they limited to just the athletes. The Big Color is part of Adidas winter collection that also includes shooting shirts and new warm up jackets. The winter collection will be available to fans in 2 more days!

I don't usually spend my christmas in front of the tv, but I might just tune in to check out the new gear they'll be wearing.

 

Until next time,

Corinne

 

http://news.adidas.com/US/PERFORMANCE/nba-and-adidas-to-unveil-big-color-uniforms-for-christmas-day-games-/s/6f07375b-ffb4-4533-b60e-e5ee6207497b

Adidas Innovation Challenge

I tend to follow the blogs that Adidas employees write on the Adidas Group website. Daniel Hanssler from Adidas wrote in about an experience he had at the Adidas Innovation Challenge. The Innovation Challenge was a sporting event that took place at the Innovation Lab in Germany. 16 professional athletes and 4 Adidas employees were selected to participate in the challenge that included obstacles, hurdles, and sprints. There were four groups, each consisting of 4 athletes and 1 employee. The winning group received tickets to the German football cup final 2013, and the fastest athlete and empoyee in the group each won a trip to Italy. Not bad for a day of fun on the job!

 

 

Reading this blog got me thinking about the kind of environment that I want to work in. Obviously corporate Adidas is very sports oriented. Would you prefer to work in an office building with minimal interaction between employees, or are you looking for something more intimate and exciting? These are qualities in a company that I find myself thinking about. Do you know of any other companies that hold events for employees?

I enjoy hearing about stories like this. Not only is it important to have the consumer excited about your product, but it is also almost equally as important to have your team behind the product just as excited as well.

http://blog.adidas-group.com/2012/11/adidas-innovation-challenge-behind-the-scenes-but-right-on-stage/

-Corinne

 

What is it about Nike that makes it more popular than Adidas? Is it that Nike is founded in the U.S. and used a logo called "Just Do It" or is the German company is not able to meet up to that kind of competition? Maybe their logo "I am what I am" didn't ring a bell to the world and the "American Dream" not in line. Not sure, but want to find out as I research how to help Adidas find their answers.  I try to uncover the strategies as these two business giants go head-to-head in advancements that break new grounds. Nike uses Lebron James to help promote the "sweatechnology" behind the research and development of their brand.                     On the other hand, Adidas is stepping up to the plate by not only focusing only on Derrick Rose and other stars, but with a new smart technology called DryDye that uses a boot technology shoe that has a silicon rubber material that uses zero water for dyeing. You're thinking, "so what!" But think again because this functional fabric is so sensitive that it looks and feel delicate and smooth for shoes and clothes. Not only are they light-weight and great for competitive sports, but they are extremely important to meet requirements of environment protection and energy saving requirements. Also, this new feature allows MINITEC to achieve savings up to 50% of chemical, 40% consumption of water, steam and electricity! Now that's saving the planet, yeah Adidas!   www.indiantextilejournal.com check the newsline section. Sandi Jones

Stella McCartney for Adidas

Stella McCartney At Work

First the Olympics, then a 2012 fall/winter collection, and now DryDye shirts by Stella McCartney for Adidas.  Stella McCartney is a well-recognized and award winning British Designer, known for her signature style which includes a mix of sportswear and tailored vintage-inspired pieces. This year, Mrs. McCartney and Adidas partnered together for three very exciting projects. The first collaboration included Stella McCartney designing sportswear by Adidas for athletes that competed in both the Olympic and Paralympic, London 2012 games. Stella McCartney then released an Adidas sportswear collection priced $55-$450, which debuted this fall/winter season. Her latest launch is a new DryDye t-shirt.

DryDye Shirt by Stella McCartney for Adidas

Did you know that every two years the world uses enough water to fill the Mediterranean Sea in order to dye different products? That's just crazy!!! Well, to help support a healthier planet, Adidas created the DryDye process which dyes shirts by replacing water with pressurized CO2. "50,000 Adidas DryDye t-shirts have already been produced, saving a total of 1,200,000 liters of water." (news.adidas.com) These stylish, one of a kind shirts are also part of the Adidas by Stella McCartney collection. To explore this collection, visit http://www.adidas.com/us/adidas-by-stella-mccartney/_/N-1z13svo

Truly Yours, Nicole S

Adidas Eurocamp

Aside from being recognized for it's innovative products, Adidas is also known for hosting it's annual showcase of young international NBA talent at Eurocamp. The best pre-draft players partake in Eurocamp with hopes of becoming those selected in the following NBA draft. The big event is attended by current as well as former NBA players and coaches. Next years three day camp will be held in Treviso, Italy on June 8-10 2013.
 Although this event takes place outside of the United States, I am still eager to learn if the Los Angeles Lakers will take part in drafting any international players. The Lakers drafted Ater Majok  (pronounced Ah-TARE Mah-jook) in 2011 for the 58th overall pick, however the deal wasn't successful. Ever head of Ater Majok? If not, he's an Australian professional basketball player and instead of the Lakers, he played for a team in Slovakia during the 2011-2012 season. The video below features, Ater Majok in action. He's the gentleman in the neon shoes :)

Truly Yours, Nicole S

 



 
 

'Save the Joeys' or baby kangaroos! Adidas removes themselves from the culling of kangaroos for their leather to manufacture shoes worn by premier league stars like David Beckham, even after he stop wearing them back in 2006. Animal welfare groups fought hard to boycott shooting the adults, then clubbing the defenseless young kangaroos finally came to an end. Adidas was applauded on September, 3rd 2012 when they helped save over 1 million of those lovable creatures. Phillip Woolley, EU Campaign Director for the AWPC of international operations headed this cause and was successful in doing just that after ten years of trying to get giants like Adidas to finally agree after much pressure from wildlife environmentalist. Even though the hide of these lovely pouch hoppers is 4 times stronger than a cows, that's not enough of a reason to use them for shoes, car interiors and motorcycle seats.        The commercial kangaroo industry would like you to believe that these animals are so populated that they are not enough funds to control irreparable damage that they do to the environment in 'plague proportions' and it helps keep the population of the 'pest' down to a controlled level, but that's a fear spun out of control! The truth is they are coming close to being extinct and with support from the government with public funding from the RIRDC research groups to help these markets of this industry. Also, without skilled ecologist to confirm these results the true data is hidden in numbers, kangaroos are in deep trouble and companies like Adidas are trying to do their part in helping refill the Australian landscape before it's too late! Look it up for yourself www.kangaroosatrisk.net  I did and was shocked. Thank you Adidas for caring that much. Sandi Jones                                                                                                               

Made in Germany

Although we live in America, most of the products we buy say "Made in China." This is something that although some strongly disagree with the practice, it is a reality none the less. Adidas started manufacturing shoes in Germany. While most of their shoes are now produced in Asia, there is still one remaining German manufacturing location left. While from the picture (below) the location looks small, the workers alongside the production lines and machines are capable of producing 65,000 pairs of Adidas shoes each month.

Adidas likes being able to stamp "Made in Germany" on their product and are still able to do so with the last German location still standing. Scheinfeld Germany is where their football boots "Copa Mundial," "Kaiser5," and "World Cup" are produced. Also produced in Scheinfeld are limited numbers of the Supertrekking Outdoor shoe as well as various Porsche Design racing and golf shoes (Adidas).

http://blog.adidas-group.com/2012/10/on-the-path-that-adi-dassler-set-%e2%80%93-shoes-made-in-germany/#more-8438

-Corinne

  On October 12, 2012 Adidas uses social media to announce the development of sports equipment for the snowboarder communities. They use a grassroots program that uses brand marketing strategy to fulfill their mission statement; for Adidas to be the leading sports brand in the world! Every sport has a brand they attach to like Nike is with skateboarding, McDonald's is with surfboards, Rebok is with longboards and now at last Adidas is with snowboarding. The release of the signature apres shred boots arrived and a first time team of professional riders who made a name for themselves and can't be stopped. Having the tight group together will be revolutionary because the team riders are also good friends and will launch their gear in an amazing new way, without advertisements and commericals, but instead on Facebook and Instagram. The transworld article states the Team Manager Chris Hotell or "Hot to tell" is leading the project and understands how the consumer communication & media works. Everything from the development of the designs of the shred boots, to being the spokes person for the brand by a soft launch of the FW13 collection. The line also is making technical outerwear apparel with excellent designers? Team collaborations like pro-riders Jake Blauvelt, Ecic Jackson, Helen Schettini, Kazu Kokubo, and Keegan Valaika are names that will soon become household names after the Olympics, I'm sure. As they interpret a new marketing trend for action sports, they drop-in on a opportunity that will be a model for other companies. By letting snowboarder team members spread-the-word with comments, videos, pictures, but mostly with friendships on their  Facebook walls; delivering the message in style, with chats and buzz! The pros want everyday-riders to feel the growth process of the promotion and be part of it! www.adidas.com/snowboarding and www.facebook.com/adidassnowboardingSandi Jones

Window Shopping, The New Cool!

Window shopping just got a lot cooler! Adidas is currently running an interactive digital storefront window in a six-week test pilot, in Nurnberg, Germany. The virtual window allows shoppers to enter a one-time PIN to interlink their smartphone to a real time shopping bag on the digital window. Once connected, shoppers use hotspots to view and interact with life-size products,  as well as dress and create movement of a mannequin. The purpose of the interactive storefront window is to make it fun and easy to shop (without the use of QR codes or apps) by placing products that interest the interactive window user directly into their smartphone which is made available for purchase online at Adidas NEO. The fully functioning interactive storefront window is "new by definition, new in concept, and new in spirit"(Adidas).

The interactive digital storefront window sounds exciting! I sometimes find myself at checkout with five or more items when I specifically entered the store for one item. I think using the window would not only be fun but I could possibly save some cash by not having to enter the store lol. What's your take on the Adidas interactive digital storefront window? Cool or Not? 

Truly Yours, Nicole S

Adidas gets Bieber Fever!

Adidas is coming out with a new brand called NEO. The brand is a free spirited, new concept about 'living your style.' The line of shoes is targeted towards teens and is now represented by none other than Justin Bieber.

According to Kimberly Wallengren of Adidas, Adidas Chief Marketing Officer, Hermann Deininger had been considering Justin Bieber as a NEO style icon for a while, and jumped on the opportunity when the moment was right. Adidas feels that Bieber posseses the bold, carefree energy that is also that of the new NEO label.
Adidas is excited about the wordwide fanbase that Justin has an influence over. Who can deny a celeb who has upwards of 46 million facebook fans?! He is not only able to promote through social networking, but he is also said to be performing in a pair of golden NEO sneakers for his 2012/2013 Believe World Tour.

Although Bieber is young for me, I'm not NEOs target market. Teens are, and if there is anyone who can reach out to teens all over the world, its Justin Bieber. Good move Adidas.

http://blog.adidas-group.com/2012/10/adidas-neo-gets-the-bieber-fever/#more-8390

-Corinne