Adidas and Runtastic Ink $240M Acquisition Deal

After negotiations between the two parties, the deal worth $240 million for Adidas Group to acquire Runtastic is now a go.

In a short entry on Runtastic’s blog, CEO and Co-Founder Florian Gschwandtner announced that his team is ecstatic to collaborate with their new partner. He feels that with their new trusted counterpart, Runtastic will achieve new heights in the health and fitness segment.

Despite the acquisition, Gschwandtner mentioned that Runtastic will maintain its own identity as a health and fitness software developer within the Adidas Group. He added that Runtastic will still operate from their offices in Linz, Austria, Vienna and San Francisco.

Gschwandtner promises that he and his team will come with fresh contents and a new app by the end of the year.

Runtastic Blog

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Adidas And Manchester United Announce Official Partnership

Adidas and Manchester United today announced an Official Partnership, bringing together two of the leading brands in football. Starting with the 2015/2016 season, adidas will become the global Technical Sponsor and Official Licensing Partner of Manchester United for ten years.

“We are excited to team up with Manchester United, one of the most successful and most loved football clubs globally. Our new partnership with Manchester United clearly underlines our leadership in football and will help us to further strengthen our position in key markets around the world. At the same time, this collaboration marks a milestone for us when it comes to merchandising potential. We expect total sales to reach 1.5 billion GBP during the duration of our partnership.” HERBERT HAINER, ADIDAS GROUP CEO

As part of the agreement, adidas will supply product to Manchester United and outfit all of the club’s teams. In addition, adidas will have the exclusive right to distribute dual-branded merchandising products worldwide.

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world. Through its 137-year heritage, Manchester United has won 62 trophies, enabling the club to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 659 million followers. The club has played 33 exhibition games in countries such as China, Japan and the United States in the last five years and all the club’s Premier League games since 1997/1998 have been sold out.

Manchester United joins the impressive roster of adidas football partners, including some of the world’s top clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, AC Milan, Flamengo and – also starting with the 2015/2016 season – Juventus.

adidas is the outfitter of yesterday’s two finalists in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, World Champion Germany and runner-up Argentina, and is also the partner of FIFA’s adidas Golden Ball winner Leo Messi, adidas Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez, and adidas Golden Glove winner Manuel Neuer.

As global leader in football, adidas is also the Official Partner of the most important football tournaments in the world, such as the FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA European Championships. Some of the world’s best players on the adidas roster are Leo Messi, Gareth Bale, Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben, James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Adidas Originals By Rita Ora FW14

Rita Ora

Spinning adidas Originals a new line with a fresh take on classics infused from one icon to another, the debut FW14 adidas Originals by Rita Ora collaboration sees the brand with the three stripes hook up with an award-winning pioneer of stage and style.

Known as much for her fearless take on fashion, as for her head turning musical collaborations, Rita Ora has carved herself a pedestal for her energy and original spirit.

Now Ora collaborates with adidas Originals in a 3 season collaboration, a match brought about by a mutual admiration for breaking the rules and our shared rebellious natures.

Rita says: “The collaboration came about through mutual love and appreciation. I have always been a fan of adidas Originals and respect what they stand for in their fearlessness and originality. I worked very closely with adidas Originals to put a personal touch in every piece with connections to my music, my career and my life. I’m really proud of the collection and beyond excited for my fans to get their hands on it!”

For FW14, expect heritage classics carved up, recut and emblazoned in bold graphics and vibrant colours, brought to life by the hottest name in music at the moment.

Adidas Signs Top 2014 NBA Draft Prospect Danté Exum

Adidas announced a partnership with Australian NBA Draft prospect Danté Exum. The 18-year-old, 6-foot-6-inch combo guard is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2014 NBA Draft. Exum brings a unique skill set and background to one of the most highly touted draft classes in recent years.

“I’m really excited to join the adidas family,” said Exum. “I’ve had the opportunity to play in adidas Nations in the past and I’ve always liked their shoes and gear. I look forward to what’s to come for me and adidas.”

A graduate of the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport, Exum’s career includes a gold medal finish at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship and silver medal finish in the 2012 FIBA Under-17 World Championships. Exum also participated in the adidas Nations program in 2011 and 2012, leading Australia to a fourth place finish in 2012. Exum grew up with strong basketball roots, his father Cecil Exum was a member of the 1982 University of North Carolina NCAA National Championship team before playing professional basketball in Australia.

“Danté is a gifted player,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His hard work ethic and play have made him successful at every level of competition, but what makes him special is his great attitude and unselfish team approach to the game.”

Exum joins a group of elite adidas basketball point-guards highlighted by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, John Wall of the Washington Wizards and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. He will be featured in a variety of upcoming adidas initiatives and will play a role in the development of basketball footwear and apparel.

Other adidas athletes include Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, WNBA MVP Candace Parker and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi FC Barcelona.

Adidas Extends Partnership with NBA All-Star Damian Lillard

Adidas announced a long-term partnership extension with NBA All-Star point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. The young star will continue to be an integral part of adidas Basketball’s marketing campaigns, product launches and global initiatives moving forward.

“adidas has been great to me over my first two seasons,” said Lillard. “I’ve had the opportunity to wear a lot of great product, help design special versions of shoes, be a part of TV commercials and travel the world with the brand. I’m excited for what the future holds for me and adidas.”

Lillard’s dedication to basketball brought immediate success in his young NBA career, including being named the unanimous Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. This season, Lillard took another step forward, earning a spot on the Western Conference NBA All-Star team where he also became the first player to complete in all five events at All-Star weekend. Lillard’s improvement has led to team success, as the Trail Blazers have clinched a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference for the first time in three seasons.

“Damian has proven to be not only an amazing basketball player, but a great partner, member of the community and someone who creates excitement for our products,” said Chris Grancio, adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His leadership and commitment to success on the court and his ability to interact and relate to fans through social media and the community make him the perfect fit to be one of the cornerstones of the adidas brand.”

After being overlooked by large collegiate programs coming out of high school in Oakland, Calif., Lillard attended Weber State University where he excelled for three seasons. Lillard quickly raised his draft status in 2012 where he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick. Lillard is currently averaging 21 points, six assists and four rebounds per game for the Trail Blazers.

Other adidas athletes include Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, WNBA MVP Candace Parker and four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi FC Barcelona.