Adidas is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing, and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second-largest in the world, after Nike. The company was founded in 1949 by Adolf Dassler, who began making sports shoes in his mother’s washroom. His older brother, Rudolf, joined the business, and the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory was born. Since then, Adidas has grown into one of the top sportswear brands in the world, with a logo so identifiable that even Nike and Puma fans recognize those three vertical lines instantly.
Here are some interesting facts about Adidas:
- The company’s first logo was created by the company’s founders, Adolf “Adi” Dassler and Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler. The logo, which features a bird carrying a sneaker, was inspired by the Dassler family crest, symbolizing the challenges that athletes face and conquer.
- The company was originally called Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory).
- In 1947, Adolf changed the name of his company to Adidas after his nickname, Adi, and the first three letters of his last name.
- Adidas is the holding company for the Adidas Group, which consists of 8.33% stake of the football club Bayern München, and Runtastic, an Austrian fitness technology company.
- Adidas AG is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany, and has many other business locations around the world such as London, Portland, Toronto, Tokyo, Australia, Taiwan, and Spain.
- The first Adidas item of apparel was the Franz Beckenbauer tracksuit created in 1967.
- Adidas AG is the largest manufacturer of sports bras in Europe, and the second-largest manufacturer in the world.
Adidas has a forward-thinking branding strategy that has played a huge role in the company’s success. The Adidas logo is recognizable around the world, regardless of language or culture. The company has constantly redesigned its iconic logo while staying loyal to its brand identity. Adidas has four logos, and each has its own meaning and history. The company’s branding strategy has helped it to become one of the most popular footwear and apparel companies globally.
Adidas is trusted by many accomplished athletes and celebrities, including Beyonce, Kylie Jenner, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Muhammad Ali. By wearing Adidas to public events, they’re further raising the brand’s profile among both existing and new customers. Adidas has grown from a small local sportswear provider in rural Germany into one of the world’s top sneaker and athletic wear providers. As Adidas continues to expand and challenge Nike‘s position as the industry leader, it’s beneficial to look at the origins, development, and branding of the company.
In conclusion, Adidas is a brand that has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a small German town. The company’s success can be attributed to its forward-thinking branding strategy, which has helped it to become one of the most popular footwear and apparel companies globally. Adidas has constantly redesigned its iconic logo while staying loyal to its brand identity, and its branding strategy has helped it to attract new customers in a time when many companies in the athletic wear industry are struggling.
