Adidas Bets Big on Global Running Community with Expanded Initiative and New Leadership
Adidas is significantly strengthening its commitment to the global running community through its "Adidas Runners" initiative, actively engaging participants across 70 cities worldwide. This extensive program underscores the German sportswear giant's strategic focus on running as a key pillar for sustaining its impressive growth momentum, following an 11% rise in revenue last year, reaching €23.7 billion.
To support this core segment, the brand leverages its renowned running franchises—Adizero, Supernova, and Ultraboost—to create a diverse product offering. This strategic approach ensures that Adidas caters to a broad spectrum of runners, accommodating varying ability levels and specific needs. Overseeing this vital aspect of its sports division, Adidas has appointed Patrick Nava to a leadership role.
Patrick Nava brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He most recently served as the Vice President of Running Product Management, a role he commenced in 2021 after joining the Adidas group in 2019. His previous responsibilities involved shaping the direction and innovation of Adidas's running footwear and apparel lines.
Before his tenure at Adidas, Nava spent nearly four years in California as the Director of Strategic Alliances at Gap. Prior to his time with the American brand, he dedicated approximately a decade to strategy consultancy at McKinsey, working initially in Germany before relocating to the US. During his time at McKinsey, he provided crucial support to both luxury and sports brands, assisting them in the reorganization of their sales and marketing strategies, as well as optimizing their operational structures.
Based at the group’s German headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Patrick Nava's comprehensive background in product management, strategic alliances, and high-level consultancy positions him ideally to drive Adidas's ambitious goals within the global running market.
