Adidas 2003 Annual Report Download - page 65

BASKETBALL: THE TRIPLE THREAT /// Basketball is a rapidly growing category in the USA
and is key to our future growth prospects in the region. By signing Tim Duncan and Kevin
Garnett, who join Tracy McGrady (TMAC) in our basketball portfolio, we have enlisted three
of the most inspirational NBA players for 2004. We are committed to constant innovation
for our superstars. We will launch new products for these three players in 2004. The
T-MAC 4 with Laceless Footwear Technology will be the first laceless basketball shoe ever.
Tim Duncan will wear ClimaCool®, and the first signature shoe for Kevin Garnett will be
launched. In 2004, adidas will have the most complete basketball product offering ever and
will deliver substantial growth in this category.
FOCUS ON adidas STRENGTH IN FOOTBALL /// The 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup recon-
firmed our leadership in football. Our sponsorship of such teams as the German national
team which won the Women’s World Cup as well as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, AC Milan,
Ajax Amsterdam, or players such as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, shows our skill
in selecting key partners. In 2004, we will be celebrating 10 years of the Predator®technol-
ogy with the launch of the PredatorPulse™. In addition, the new F-Line will supply cutting-
edge players such as Cissé and Trézéguet with a new generation of football boots led by the
distinctive F50 which features a customizable insole, modular outsole and speed lacing
system. Continuing our strong presence at the biggest global tournaments, we will be the
Official Licensee for the UEFA EURO 2004™ European Football Championships. The
Roteiro™ is the first ever Official Match Ball produced with an innovative thermal-bonding
production technique. This innovative seamless surface design features our new Power
Balance Technology and is constructed using a revolutionary new interior. We are already
actively preparing for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Germany. As Official Sponsor, Supplier
and Licensee of this event, and with numerous product and marketing initiatives, we will
ensure our continued domination in the world’s football marketplace.
ATHENS OLYMPICS: OUR BIGGEST INVOLVEMENT EVER /// The 2004 Olympics in Athens
will showcase the biggest adidas involvement ever in the Games and will highlight new
apparel and footwear collections. adidas will be the Official Supplier of 18 National Olympic
Committees there, including Greece, USA, France, Germany, Great Britain and Cuba.
Athletes from 45 nations will be fully equipped with our products and adidas will provide
products for 26 out of 28 different disciplines. ClimaCool®will be the leading product
concept and adidas will reveal a new apparel concept exclusively for the event. In addition,
we will launch a new “Urban Olympics” collection at the event, which integrates the spirit
of the Games into urban sportswear.
adidas SPORT HERITAGE /// The adidas Sport Heritage division targets sports lifestyle
consumers who seek trend-setting streetwear with authentic origins. The goal is to be the
brand of choice in the global sports lifestyle market. This division, started in 2000, has been
growing ever since its creation and is now one of the key trend-setting brands in the mar-
ket for the sports lifestyle consumer. Limited distribution to prevent dilution of the brand
plays a major role in the success story of this division. Sport Heritage will broaden its
attack on the whole lifestyle market with fresh new products inspired by our brand’s unique
heritage in football, Olympic sports, tennis and basketball. Additionally, we will expand our
fashion distribution in 2004 as well as increase our focus in the North American market.
We expect this division to comprise 25 to 30% of adidas sales in the mid term.
adidas SPORT STYLE /// After an overwhelming response from both retailers and con-
sumers in 2003, the adidas Sport Style division is entering its second year with the
“fashion-to-wear” collection in 2004. Our Y-3 collection, developed with designer Yohji
Yamamoto, is helping us extend our product appeal to the cosmopolitan consumers who
are looking for exclusive, style-leading active sportswear products. Yamamoto’s strong
presence in this area allows us to expand the power of the adidas brand. The collection is
limited to fashion-oriented accounts in Europe, North America and Asia. Influential design
and new technology combined with the highest quality standards clearly distinguish Y-3
from any other product in the market. We believe this division has the potential to generate
up to 5% of adidas sales in the long term.
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