CARLSBAD, CALIF. (August 17, 2010) – Four months ago, Steve Olsen of Green Bay, Wisconsin applied for adidas Golf’s Wear in the World Adventure: a 50-day job interview spanning nine countries and three continents that would pit him against another candidate and test his golfing ability and resilience as a burgeoning social media catalyst. Following the conclusion of the program in Bandon, Oregon, adidas Golf named Olsen the winner of the competition over fellow competitor Chris Dukeminier (Portland, Oregon) and offered him a marketing position at adidas Golf’s global headquarters in Carlsbad, CA.
Olsen will re-locate from Green Bay, Wisconsin and begin his new role in the next few weeks as adidas Golf’s “Social Media and e-marketing Coordinator.”
“We are extremely proud of the work, the passion and excitement both candidates demonstrated throughout this incredible journey,” said Harry Arnett, Vice President of adidas Golf brand and product marketing. “Both candidates consistently rose to the occasion and impressed all of the regions with their work ethic and out-of-the-box thinking. In the end, we could only offer the position to one candidate and we believe Steve will carry the same passion and enthusiasm from his Wear in the World Adventure into our offices in Carlsbad. We can’t wait for him to get started and we expect him to contribute the success of the adidas Golf brand immediately.”
The Wear in the World journey began June 26 in Herzogenaurach, Germany at adidas’ global headquarters where the competitors played golf with PGA Tour Superstars Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen, ziplined through the famed Olympic Stadium and learned firsthand what it means to be a “die-hard” sports fan as they celebrated in the streets with the Germans as their beloved national team notched multiple World Cup victories.
Their journey continued on to Norway, Scotland, Dubai, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Canada and concluded at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon. At every stop, Olsen and Dukeminier competed in a series of challenges designed to test both their business acumen and golf skills. Along the way, the candidates also experienced the local cultures and were asked to capture these unique experiences through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media channels highlighting their adventures and building loyal followers during their trip.
During this ultimate trip, they also proved 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.
Flanked by a small camera crew, the entire journey was documented on the Wear in the World website.
Two months ago, 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 for a chance to work at the company. The posting yielded more than 1.1 million searches for this unique position.
The main sponsor for “Wear in the World Adventure2” 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.”
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