adidas Moves Key Global Marketing Functions to U.S. Erich Stamminger Assumes Additional Responsibility for adidas America HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, and PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- adidas-Salomon AG announced today a further strengthening of its adidas North America efforts by moving key global marketing functions and personnel to its American headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Erich Stamminger, Member of the Executive Board of adidas-Salomon responsible for Global Marketing, will assume additional responsibility for North America, as President and CEO of adidas America Inc. Erich Stamminger, who will relocate to Portland, will continue to report to Herbert Hainer, Chairman and CEO of adidas-Salomon AG. "North America is key to our success. Erich's presence and experience are ideally suited to focus our brand activities even more intensely and speed our return to growth," said Herbert Hainer. "Erich combines an outstanding record of improving operations with a strong marketing background, having helped adidas grow to record revenues and earnings while retaining its leading global brand image. He will now bring the same brand passion, focus and leadership to North America. At the same time, we will tie our Global Marketing organization and adidas America closer together." Erich Stamminger, who has already spent a significant portion of his time in America since September, said: "I look forward to leading our efforts to improve our market position in North America. We started a process of revitalizing our North American activities and I will intensify and speed up that process. I am excited about the opportunities we have here." Erich Stamminger (46) draws on 20 years of experience with adidas, serving since January 2000 as Head of Global Marketing. In this function, he has introduced the unique three-divisional strategy for adidas and rolled out design and technology innovations such as a(3)(R), ClimaCool(R) and the strategic partnership with Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. Before, he was in charge of various management functions within the Regional and Global organization. Prior to his current position, he was responsible for the adidas-Salomon business in Region Europe, the company's biggest region, from 1995 to 1999, and Region Asia/Pacific, the company's fastest growing region, from 1997 to 1999. In March 1997, he joined adidas-Salomon's Executive Board. Ross McMullin, adidas America CEO and Member of the Executive Board of adidas-Salomon, who was on leave of absence due to health reasons, has resigned from all positions at adidas-Salomon. Jim Stutts, serving as interim regional head in Ross McMullin's absence, will continue to report to Herbert Hainer as Chairman of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Please visit our corporate website: http://www.adidas-salomon.de/ DATASOURCE: adidas-Salomon AG CONTACT: Media - Jan Runau, Head of Corporate PR and Global PR, +49-0-9132-84-3830, or Anne Putz, Corporate PR Manager, +49-0-9132-84-2964, or Investors - Natalie M. Knight, Head of Investor Relations, +49-0-9132-84-3584, or Dr. Charlotte Brigitte Loos, Investor Relations Manager, +49-0-9132-84-3584, all of adidas-Salomon AG Web site: http://www.adidas-salomon.de/

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