John Kawaja elevated to Executive Vice President of TaylorMade-adidas Golf
CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 14, 2006) – TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company (TMaG) has elevated two key members of its executive staff, John Kawaja and Merle Marting. Kawaja, formerly president of adidas Golf, has been named executive vice president of TaylorMade-adidas Golf; Marting, formerly vice president of global marketing for TaylorMade, has moved into Kawaja’s role and has assumed the title of senior vice president of adidas Golf.
Kawaja had spent more than 18 years with TMaG’s parent company, adidas AG, in both Canada and the United States before taking the helm of the adidas Golf business in 2003. In the two years since, adidas Golf revenues have more than doubled. Currently, adidas Golf remains the fastest growing footwear and apparel brand in the sport.
"The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company has grown significantly in the past four years into a significant stable of brands with revenues approaching a billion dollars this year. The growth is a result of industry-leading performance products in all key categories," said Kawaja. "Our goal is to continue this growth to become the most commercially successful company in the golf industry. To do that we need to continue to make the best products in the industry and improve how we execute certain dimensions of our business. My focus is to work with key members of our organization to determine the best possible ways to do that."
Marting, who joined TaylorMade in 1999, directed the marketing campaigns for TaylorMade’s 300 Series and R500 Series drivers before, in 2004, taking the point on the largest and most successful product launch in company history, the r7 quad driver, which cemented TaylorMade’s position as the No. 1 metalwood in the world and the No. 1 metalwood brand on the PGA Tour.*
"The adidas Golf brand has generated remarkable momentum in the marketplace during the past two years because our footwear and apparel, which combines extraordinary performance, comfort and style, has resonated with serious golfers on a global scale," said Marting. "I’m looking forward to helping make sure that we continue to create products that resonate, and to continuing to cultivate the growth and status of the adidas Golf brand."
* Darrell Survey (PGA, Champions, Nationwide and LPGA tours) and Sports Marketing Survey (European Tour) driver brand counts. #1 Driver in Golf claim based on combined 2005 wins and usage on the PGA, European, Japan Golf, Nationwide, Champions and LPGA Tours, as reported by Darrell Survey Co. and Sports Marketing Surveys, ltd.
About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry’s technological evolution since being founded in 1979. adidas Golf footwear and apparel is the choice of hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Consumers can find more information on TaylorMade-adidas Golf at (800) 888-CLUB or www.tmag.com, www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.maxfli.com or www.rossaputters.com.
Contact:
TaylorMade-adidas Golf
John Steinbach
Tel: 760.918.6330
eMail: john.steinbach@tmag.com
