Former swimmer Mark Pinger promoted to Arena brand director
After working for McKinsey and Nike, the former German Olympic swimmer joined Arena in 2016 as managing director of the U.S. market.
In a statement, Arena CEO Peter Graschi saie: "Mark's journey from Olympic swimmer to brand builder is a powerful reflection of his deep passion for sport and in particular for Arena, the brand he carried as a member of the German national swim team. I'm delighted that Mark will be leading our global product and brand organization."
"Arena is an iconic swimwear brand with a heritage of innovation, performance and design excellence," Pinger pointed out. "Joining the global team at this pivotal moment is incredibly energizing. I believe there is a huge opportunity to push boundaries, broaden our cultural relevance and engage with a wider audience around the world. At the heart of our strategy will be innovation, design and compelling brand storytelling," he continued.
In his new position, Pinger will oversee product development, licensing, brand and sports marketing, working closely with teams in all markets to strengthen the brand's presence in the running, swimming and beachwear segments. Pinger will move to Arena's world headquarters in Tolentino, Italy, where he will join the management team, recently marked by the departure of the brand's deputy general manager, Giuseppe Musciacchio, in March.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
19 minutes ago
- Fashion Network
Serge Brunschwig leaves Jil Sander
A surprise announcement on the eve of the summer break. Serge Brunschwig's stint at OTB and Jil Sander has only lasted six months. Frenchman Brunschwig, who was named CEO of the German label owned by the Italian fashion group (alongside Diesel, Maison Margiela, Marni, etc.) in early February, and was also head of strategy for the group founded and directed by Renzo Rosso, has announced on LinkedIn he is leaving. 'Today is the last day of my mission for Jil Sander. I would like to thank the team for what we achieved, getting this beautiful brand ready for its next chapter,' he posted. In September, Jil Sander is expected to unveil its new aesthetic under Creative Director Simone Bellotti, who succeeded Lucie and Luke Meier in early 2025. The OTB group has thanked Brunschwig, who is leaving 'for personal reasons,' praising 'his commitment and the contribution he made during his tenure.' Ubaldo Minelli, CEO of OTB, who had been in charge of Jil Sander in the past, is replacing Brunschwig. A graduate of Paris' Ecole Polytechnique, of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications, and of the Paris Institute of Political Studies, Brunschwig, 54, joined LVMH in 1995 as CEO of Louis Vuitton 's Asia-Pacific region. He was then CEO of Sephora Europe in 2000, and a director at Louis Vuitton in 2002. In 2006, Brunschwig took the helm of Céline, and then joined Christian Dior Couture in 2008 as COO, becoming also president of Dior Homme in 2015. In 2018, he succeeded Pietro Beccari as CEO of Fendi, where he remained until early 2025, when he joined OTB to take charge of Jil Sander.
Fashion Network
an hour ago
- Fashion Network
Adidas and Puma hit by tariffs, trends, and shifting demand
Adidas AG, the German sportswear giant known for turning its three-striped sneakers into a global fashion staple, reported weaker-than-expected sales growth for the three months ending June 30. The announcement triggered a 10% drop in its share price, echoing a similar downturn at rival Puma SE. The latter's shares plunged as much as 21% last week following a warning about slowing demand and the impact of U.S. tariffs, which Puma estimates will reduce gross profit by approximately €80 million ($92 million) this year. Adidas Chief Executive Officer Bjørn Gulden also flagged the financial burden of tariffs, which he expects could cost the company up to €200 million. Despite the pressures, Gulden maintained Adidas's full-year operating profit forecast of €1.7 billion to €1.8 billion—up from €1.3 billion in 2024 but still below analyst expectations of €2 billion. While the company has managed to retain most of its Chinese-made products for local sale, added costs are hitting sneakers and apparel produced in major sourcing hubs like Vietnam, which accounts for about 30% of Adidas's U.S. imports. Gulden added that inflation-driven weakness in U.S. consumer spending is another major concern. Although U.S. sales held steady in the second quarter, Adidas's European revenue took a hit due to unusually hot weather in June and tough comparisons with last year's boost from the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. The cooling trend, combined with a cautious outlook, has raised doubts about Adidas's continued dominance—especially in terrace-style sneakers such as the Samba, Gazelle, and Handball Spezial. Meanwhile, Puma's Speedcat line has struggled to gain traction with sneaker enthusiasts. Trends on the street are shifting. Retro styles from Nike Inc., like the Killshot and Cortez, are making a comeback. Asics Corp.'s Onitsuka Tiger sneakers are also rising in popularity. Even in casual weekend settings, the Japanese brand is being spotted frequently—mirroring the Samba's past ubiquity. Unsurprisingly, Asics shares have outperformed competitors this year. Vans, too, appear to be mounting a resurgence, with shares of parent VF Corp. rising by as much as 24% on Wednesday amid signs of a successful turnaround. Gulden acknowledged that demand for the Samba has slowed, though he attributed this partly to previous supply constraints. He noted that the style remains popular in some markets, especially when introduced in updated finishes like metallics and animal prints. Still, the broader deceleration and heavier discounting in the U.S.—as noted by Stacey Widlitz at SW Retail Advisors—pose a challenge. Another shift affecting Adidas is the growing consumer focus on performance over fashion. Sport-led brands such as On Holding AG are gaining momentum. This pivot toward athletic function has also stalled Puma's turnaround. Meanwhile, Nike CEO Elliott Hill has refocused on performance as the company's strategic core. Despite Nike's ongoing struggle with surplus fashion sneakers, its renewed emphasis on sport is yielding results. The Vomero running shoe, for instance, generated $100 million in sales since its February launch. Gulden now faces two critical challenges. First, he must identify the next breakout sneaker to follow the Samba's success. He has made strides with relaunches like the Superstar and by embracing martial arts–inspired low-rise styles. According to Gulden, models like the Taekwondo are starting to gain popularity, especially in Japan and South Korea, and may expand further in 2025. Following the Samba and Superstar, the next icon to be refreshed is the Stan Smith, the classic white tennis shoe that debuted over 40 years ago. Second, Adidas must amplify its presence in performance running. Sales in this segment rose by 25% in the second quarter, although the brand is still struggling to meet demand for top-selling models. The company is preparing to introduce new running shoes that aim to combine everyday comfort with track-level performance—a territory currently dominated by On and Hoka, a brand owned by Deckers Outdoor Corp. The ideal outcome? One of these technical models becomes a cultural hit, too. Encouraging signs include the rising trend of wearing football boots casually—a category where Adidas already holds strong ground. Gulden's product intuition remains a strategic asset. His ability to tap into cultural relevance, seen in collaborations like Oasis -themed apparel, continues to resonate. However, he now faces headwinds including tariffs, shifting consumer preferences, and a reinvigorated Nike. The upcoming World Cup in North America could help boost visibility—but it's Nike's home turf, and its newer sport-driven products will be widely available by then. Puma's stock has more than halved in 2024, while Adidas shares have fallen over 30% since February. Nike, by contrast, has rebounded more than 40% since its April low, with investors optimistic about the brand's recovery. To keep pace with Nike and a wave of agile new rivals, Gulden must craft a fresh hit—possibly a new-generation Dad sneaker, built for both comfort and mass appeal.
Fashion Network
2 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Puma appoints Andreas Hubert as COO
One quarter after taking over as CEO of Puma, Arthur Hoeld has appointed a new member to the company's executive committee. The German sportswear and equipment manufacturer has promoted Andreas Hubert to chief operating officer, making him the fifth member of the committee. Hubert, a twenty-year Puma veteran, will assume his new role on September 1. As COO, he will oversee global sourcing operations, including sustainability, product development, IT, and logistics. Although he has served for the past four years as head of information, managing the company's technology strategy, systems, and IT services, Hubert is a sourcing expert by training. He previously held the role of vice president of sourcing while based in Hong Kong. Earlier this year, Anne-Laure Descours, Puma's longtime sourcing director, stepped down from her role, though she continues to advise the company on socially and environmentally responsible solutions. Hubert will now take on responsibilities that were previously split among several departments. The product director handled procurement, IT by the finance director, and logistics by the managing director, the company said. 'I am delighted to welcome Andreas to Puma as our new chief operating officer,' said Arthur Hoeld, Puma's chairman and CEO. 'With his extensive experience in IT, sourcing, and supply chain management, he brings the perfect combination of strategic vision and operational excellence. His deep industry experience and expertise will be instrumental in optimizing Puma's global operations, driving digital transformation, and strengthening the resilience of our supply chain as we enter our next phase of growth.' Puma recently revised its annual forecasts downward. As of September 1, 2025, the company's executive committee will include Arthur Hoeld (CEO), Markus Neubrand (CFO), Maria Valdes (product director), Matthias Bäumer (commercial director), and Andreas Hubert (COO).
