Chairman of the Board at Buffering Agency with expertise in Marketing Strategy
Adidas vs Puma family rivalry Back in 1920s, two brothers – Adolf & Rudolf Dassler drafted into World War I returned home town Bavaria in Germany starting off Dassler Brothers shoe factory. The hand sewn shoes seen at feet of athletes in Amsterdam in 1928 Olympics propelled it to international spotlight. Over next decades, business grew by leaps and bounds. They joined Nazi Party as Hitler rose to power and were drafted to World War II. Differences cropped up spilling into business rivalry when elder brother Rudolf was captured in war and thought Adi Dassler (Adolf) as a hand in it. In 1948, Adi Dassler formed Adidas while Rudi started his own line of shoes named “Puma” after German name for Panther. It reached ridiculous proportions in town as businesses served either Adidas or Puma and even employees/workers were forbidden to date or marry from other side. Even in death, Rudi and Adi are buried at opposite ends of cemetery. Legend has it that in 1974, before death of Rudi, a peace effort was made making drivers of each take them to a secret meeting. What transpired is best known to them as rivalry continued unabated thereafter too. While Adolf did better with Adidas becoming a bigger brand, Puma-Adidas competition is unique in history. ABW series Amit Bhagwan Wadhwani
