CARLSBAD, Calif. (June 17, 2010) – Last month adidas Golf partnered with Yahoo! HotJobs, a leading online resource for job seekers and recruiters, to open up a search for two candidates who would participate in a head-to-head showdown as part of a globetrotting golf adventure taking them to nine countries on three continents over 50 days. After more than 1.1 million searches for this unique position, countless hours of sifting through resumes, and difficult internal decisions, adidas Golf has selected the two applicants who will participate in its “Wear in the World Adventure2Ì¢?å_ with the winner earning a chance to become the company’s new social media catalyst.
The applicants selected:
Steven Olsen | Green Bay, WI
Steven Olsen was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has a background in marketing, public relations and social media trends having worked as an account coordinator at marketing agency. Steven caddied for 10 years and won the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship and received a four-year full tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Steven has played golf since he was two years old and has a six handicap. Like all cheese heads, Steven is an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Steven said that he has never traveled outside North America and is looking forward to experiencing new cultures through the adidas Golf Wear in the World adventure.
Chris Dukeminier | Portland, OR
Chris Dukeminier, is a true Oregonian through and through. He was born and raised in Eugene and currently lives in Portland. Chris recently graduated from the University of Oregon where he double majored in Business Administration and Economics. Shortly after, he received his Masters of Business Administration from Oregon. Dukeminier has experience in marketing, public relations and digital advertising. Chris was a member of the Oregon golf team which explains his 1-handicap. Outside of work and golf, Chris also enjoys football and wakeboarding. According to Chris, the adidas Golf Wear in the World interview is a unique opportunity to step out of his box and challenge himself. He admits that he doesn’t know what to expect, but says he welcomes the competition and will not lose due to lack of effort.
“Thanks to our partner Yahoo! HotJobs, we were able to conduct a comprehensive search for the best candidate who was passionate about golf and social media,” said Harry Arnett, vice president of brand and marketing for adidas Golf and Ashworth Golf. “After reviewing Steven and Chris’ submission videos, writing samples and one-on-one interviews, the choice became clear that they were the best candidates based on their creativity, unique talents, abilities and most importantly, love for the game of golf. We are excited for them to embark on what promises to be one of the best experiences of their lives.”
The journey begins June 15 at the TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s headquarters in Carlsbad, CA where Olsen and Dukeminier will be trained and fit for TaylorMade and adidas Golf equipment, apparel and footwear. The pair will then fly to the adidas Group headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany on June 25, which will mark the start of their 50-day, nine-country job interviews.
During their trip, Olsen and Dukeminier will also be tasked with creating compelling content through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media channels highlighting their adventures and building loyal followers during their trip. In addition to golf outings with adidas Golf’s PGA, European and Asian Tour Professionals, the finalists will also sightsee and experience the various local cultures and activities. Some of their activities will include: touring the global headquarters of adidas Group in Herzogenaurach, Germany and take part in the World Cup Party while there, participate in activities around the British Open and experience the newly opened Old MacDonald course at Bandon Dunes, Oregon. They will also be accompanied by an adidas Golf employee based out of the South Africa office, Aaron Russell, who will “host” the competition and ensure seamless travel between locations. A small camera crew will document the entire trip and feed it back to: www.adidasgolf.com/wearintheworld.
From Germany, the applicants will make their way to the following locations where they will play some of the most extreme golf courses and compete in a series of challenges ranging from problem solving, leadership, marketing and budget management that will test their fortitude off the golf course. The journey will culminate with a finale planned at the Old MacDonald course at Bandon Dunes, Oregon the week of August 10.
Locations include:
June 26 – Germany
July 5 – Norway J
July 10 – Scotland
July 16 – Dubai, UAE
July 21 – Thailand
July 26 – South Korea
July 31 – Japan
August 5 – Canada
August 10 – Oregon
Seven months ago, adidas Golf launched its first edition of “Wear in the World” and sent two employees on a 31-day adventure in the Southern Hemisphere to prove that adidas Golf apparel powered by COOLMAX® Extreme performance fabric, and its industry-leading footwear, would stand up against the world’s most extreme golf conditions allowing golfers to perform at their best regardless of what mother nature throws at them. To see highlights from this edition, click here.
“The last adventure was a unique way for us to validate our industry leading products and the performance technologies found in our apparel and footwear,” added Arnett. “While we look forward to seeing how these technologies withstand the extreme conditions found throughout this adventure, our objective is to find ourselves a passionate golfer who is savvy in social media and can contribute to our team.”
The main sponsor for “Wear In The World Adventure2Ì¢?å_ is COOLMAX® fabric.
About COOLMAX®: adidas Golf apparel features COOLMAX® Extreme performance fabric. COOLMAX® fabric is engineered to maximize performance, with scientifically designed microfibers improving airflow to the skin to reduce a golfer’s temperature. In addition, its highly breathable and durable construction wicks moisture away from the skin for quick evaporation and fast drying, and its mesh ventilation is strategically positioned in critical heat zones for maximum temperature control and comfort. “We always welcome the challenge to put COOLMAX® EXTREME Performance fabrics to the test and we are delighted to be part of this new and exciting journey with adidas Golf apparel,” says Julien Born, INVISTA apparel’s global segment director for Activewear and Outdoor Apparel. “A long journey across several continents and under harsh weather conditions is a great format to demonstrate one of the key characteristics of COOLMAX® EXTREME Performance fabrics made of engineered fibers with micro channel cross sections: long-lasting moisture management that cannot be washed off.”
CoolMAX
COOLMAX® is a trademark of INVISTA. To connect with and follow Steven and Chris’ adventure and also register for a chance to win prizes along the way, please visit Wear in the World Adventure2.
About Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. dba TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry’s technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. In 1998, TaylorMade became a wholly owned subsidiary of the adidas Group. adidas Golf creates high-performance, technology-infused golf apparel and footwear worn by hundreds of professional golfers around the world. Ashworth, which became a brand of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company in 2008, creates relaxed, lifestyle-oriented golf apparel synonymous with authenticity and quality. Learn more about TaylorMade-adidas Golf and its brands at (866) 530-TMAG (8624) or www.taylormadegolf.com, www.adidasgolf.com, www.ashworthgolf.com, and www.tmag.com.
About the adidas Group
About the adidas Group The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry offering a broad range of products across the three core brands adidas, Reebok and TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the Group has more than 39,000 employees and generated sales of EUR 10.381 billion in 2009.
Contact:
TaylorMade Golf
Public Relations Department
Sandy Lane
Tel: (760) 918.6336
sandy.lane@tmag.com
