CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 30, 2006) – TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company (TMaG) announced today the appointment of Ben Sharpe as vice president and managing director of TMaG Europe. Sharpe, 33, most recently managed worldwide business affairs for Lyle & Scott, which includes the Lyle & Scott, Sunderland and Bobby Jones brands. In his new role he will be based in TMaG’s European headquarters in Basingstoke, England, and will report to John Kawaja, TMaG’s executive vice president.
"Early in the year TMaG began implementing a plan to forge a stronger commitment with key retailers and green-grass professionals in Europe," said Kawaja. "Although there is still work to be done, our vision for success is taking shape rapidly. We are pleased to have Ben aboard to lead our Europe team through the completion of this plan and beyond to future growth."
Meanwhile, TMaG’s mission to increase brand equity among consumers around the globe continues, driven by the development of high-performance products that outperform the competition, that dominate the world’s major professional tours, and which are preferred by recreational players of all skill levels. For example:
In the United States, TaylorMade® metalwoods, including drivers, fairway woods and hybrids, rank No. 1 in marketshare.*
On the PGA Tour, TaylorMade is the No. 1 brand of driver, fairway wood and hybrid, and TaylorMade drivers have ranked No. 1 at 230 consecutive PGA Tour events dating back to August, 2001.**
adidas® Golf is one of the world’s fastest growing footwear and apparel brands, and its products are worn by more than 100 professional golfers competing around the world.
The Maxfli® Noodle® franchise is one of the industry’s most successful offerings in the "long-and-soft" category of golf balls.
* Golf Datatech retail marketshare report – May, 2006 YTD
** No. 1 claims based on Darrell Survey brand count statistics. Includes ties.
Contact:
TaylorMade-adidas Golf
John Steinbach
Tel: 760.918.6330
eMail: john.steinbach@tmag.com
