The FN Achievement Award for Person of the Year is adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden!
Since rejoining Adidas in early 2023 as its chief executive officer, Gulden has helped steer the German athletic giant through a remarkable turnaround. An inventory cleanup and new hyperlocal strategy helped improve financials faster than anyone expected. And when its “terrace shoes” exploded in popularity, the company was ready to capitalize on the demand.
The 38th annual FN Achievement Awards takes place on December 4 in NYC.
Read more about some of our honorees, here:
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To win, you need to score. To score, you need to know where the goal is.
I absolutely love this spot from Adidas! What superb storytelling. It has CUT-THROUGH and gets your attention and then just keeps you hooked until the end. It is COMPELLING in that it is relevant to millions of people who will be watching with anticipation the next couple of weeks – the hardcore football fans but even the ones not so much into football. It is CONSISTENT with what Adidas stands for even if the branding is very subtle (hats off to Adidas for resisting the urge to stick a massive logo at the end in the TVC). Oh, and most importantly, it is CLEAR – it is easy to understand what the goal for Euro 24 is... it’s very simple… make sure IT’S COMING HOME Jude!
(And yes, it benefits from a song that is very well known and that will get people all over the world singing along... a song that feels like it could have been written for this ad!)
But I digress… what is relevant in sports is, of course, totally transferable to business and life in general. If you want to advance, you need to deliver on your goals. And to deliver on your goals, you need to deliver on your projects and know what the expectations are.
So, before you start a new business year or project, it's crucial to set clear goals and expectations. Clear goals provide direction and focus, ensuring that everyone on the team understands what success looks like and what they need to do to achieve it. This clarity helps in prioritizing tasks, allocating resources effectively, and keeping everyone aligned and motivated. Without well-defined goals, projects can drift off course, leading to wasted time and effort. By establishing clear objectives and expectations from the outset, you lay the foundation for efficient execution and successful outcomes.
Remember, clarity in your goals is the first step towards achieving them and winning. So, take the time to define what success looks like for your next project, and make sure everyone knows where the goalposts are.
#adidas#it’scominghome #Goals#Clarity#ProjectManagement#Success#Leadership#BusinessStrategy#Adidas#Euro24#Storytelling#Marketing#fridayadvice
Every project is different. This is what you often hear in this business. But one ingredient, the most important one, is common: people. As a leader, my greatest joy is witnessing many talented, committed individuals from all over the world come together to achieve a common mission. Today marks the day when the hard work of many people contributing to our joint mission resulted in a successful go-live.
Normally, I would stop here. But given the importance of what we have just accomplished, I need to say more about the new legacy that has been created here at Adidas.
Everyone familiar with Adidas can imagine the complexity of our business. We have undertaken one of the most complex business transformations worldwide. We engaged some of the most competent people in the industry, including experts from all adidas teams and many other companies and partners. The resilience and commitment they demonstrated are extraordinary. Anyone who has worked on a project for a year knows the pressure involved. Sustaining this intensity for three years is an entirely different level of emotional pressure. To use a sports analogy, it's like playing in the EURO tournament every month and accepting this as the new norm. Today, I want to pay tribute to all those who supported each other over the last few months. #oneteam
After one milestone, there is always another. But today, take a moment to celebrate the birth of a new legacy at Adidas.#wearelive
Innovating at Full Speed: The Untold Story of Beauty Brands Racing into Formula 1 🏆
The enthusiasm surrounding the collaboration between Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and the F1 Academy is unmistakable, initiating discussions on the convergence of beauty and motorsport. Yet, it may come as a surprise that Charlotte Tilbury was not the inaugural entity to integrate the allure of global beauty brands with the dynamic realm of Formula 1. Indeed, L'Oréal was the pioneer in this innovative endeavor.
In 1999, a remarkable partnership materialized as the L'Oréal insignia adorned the Ferrari race suit of the esteemed Michael Schumacher, a collaboration that persisted until 2005. During this period, Schumacher was not merely a seven-time world champion; he also served as the ambassador for L'Oreal Elvive, highlighting the brand's haircare line. It is important to note that this was a time preceding the ubiquity of social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter for brand endorsements. L'Oréal, therefore, capitalized on the extensive viewership of Formula 1, augmenting its presence through traditional television advertisements.
Although the alliance between L'Oréal and Schumacher did not specifically cater to a female demographic, as is the case with the Charlotte Tilbury x F1 Academy collaboration, it showcased L'Oréal's foresight. The brand seized an opportunity to broaden its market presence in a sphere previously unexplored by its competitors, forging a connection with motorsport enthusiasts in a distinctive and lasting manner.
As the industry celebrates contemporary beauty and Formula 1 partnerships, it is essential to acknowledge the visionaries who first recognized the potential of such synergies. The collaboration between L'Oréal and Michael Schumacher stands as a testament to the innovative marketing strategies and the limitless opportunities that arise when disparate industries converge.
#Formula1#F1Racing#GrandPrix#F1Circuit#F1Fans#F1Season#F1Drivers#F1Teams#F1Action#F1Tech#F1Qualifying#F1Countdown#F1Championship#F1Updates#F1History
"Impressive numbers from the global sports giant Adidas!
adidas 📊
€21.4 billion in revenue for 2023, reflecting the true power of this global brand. But beyond the numbers, what's truly fascinating is the company's ability to reinvent itself and stay relevant for over 75 years!
3 interesting insights from the latest reports:
• Significant growth in digital channels
• Increased focus on sustainability and green products
• Accelerated penetration into emerging markets
It's particularly interesting to see the company's growing investment in technology and innovation - areas where Israel is a global leader.
What are your thoughts on Adidas's strategic moves?
#Adidas#SportsTech#Innovation#Growth#StrategicThinking"
Nike's recent acquisition of the German Football Association's sponsorship rights from 2027 to 2034 marks a significant shift in the landscape of football apparel. Football jerseys represent the collective spirit and unity of a team's supporters worldwide. They foster a sense of belonging and pride among fans.
As we witness this pivotal transition, it is crucial to recognize the enduring significance of the football jersey in the world of sports branding. It is far more than just fabric and design; it is a tangible expression of passion, loyalty, and belonging for millions of fans globally. Nike's emphasis on storytelling, a trend synonymous with Gen Z, reflects an understanding of the changing landscape of fan culture and consumer behaviour.
As we witness this historic transition, it's essential to recognize the enduring significance of the team jersey in the world of sports branding. It's not merely fabric and design but a tangible expression of passion, loyalty, and belonging for millions of fans worldwide. Here's to the next chapter in the storied history of football apparel and the boundless opportunities it brings for brands and fans alike. #marketinghttps://lnkd.in/dHT4mev5
Excited to share a snapshot from our latest team session, where we learned about
Adidas Originals' global presence! 🌍
We talked about how Adidas has opened stores across Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Oceania. It's great to see their plans for more stores since 2008. In the UK, some Adidas stores are now inside JD Sports.
This session reminded me how important global strategy and local partnerships are for business growth
#BusinessGrowth#MarketingInsights
15 of 52.
This news shook many people's worlds about 2 weeks ago. DFB (German Football Association) was going to end their 77-year relationship with adidas and join hands with Nike. I was looking for some insights beyond the usual cry and howls of emotion, and this video presents a very nice summary, in my opinion.
Obviously being an ex-adidas employee, I am one of those who was forwarding messages and news reports via WhatsApp to the various alumni groups. This was shocking... but not surprising. Its been coming. Nike has been knocking on the door and they finally got through.
2 things I would take lessons from this:
1) Don't take your 77-year partnership for granted. No matter how long you have been together, don't take your partners for granted. Working relationships are not just about dollars and cents, but some times, it can come down to that especially when you have not been paying attention to small details.
2) Impossible is nothing, so just do it. Nike may have won, and many would think it's just cos they threw more money. But I think it's beyond that. They have shown consistency in chasing after DFB and probably have been for more than 10 years, keeping a relationship going, showing sincerity and waiting for their chance. Well now they have it.
Now the interesting thing is whether or not adidas goes after one of Nike's big ones. Just like how Liverpool now wear Nike and Man Utd wear adidas, this was the opposite 15 years ago. It's unlikely adidas will get Brazil (since they have Argentina) so the battle should be in Europe - getting back France (which is another long time partner before the switch to Nike) or the crown jewel England! Will that happen? Waiting to see what happens next.
Good lessons for all of us in our work or business.
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A giant roars again - read the fascinating case study of Adidas and the story behind how the sportswear behemoth bounced back from a near-fatal crisis two years ago.
The standout line for me? CEO Bjørn Gulden "allowing internal teams freedom to focus on the quality of their output without fear of falling short of commercial objectives."
For all the business strategems and the market dynamics and jargons we are subjected to on various platforms, this real-world approach proves once again that there is no substitute for human passion.
Give your people a challenge, tell them what you want to achieve, step back, allow them to do their work and watch the magic happen.
A special triumph for a special brand - kudos team Adidas; impossible is indeed nothing.
#leadershiplessons#Adidas#comebacks#teamdynamics#winningmentalityhttps://lnkd.in/g6R6M6nS
Comms & Publishing Director @ adidas | Brand Marketing, Communications, Partnership Management
2wgreat job! congrats team adidas & nwc.