Nike vs PUMA

On signs Mbappé as it preps soccer entry

Swiss sportswear brand On has officially entered the soccer market by signing French superstar Kylian Mbappé as its newest brand ambassador. Mbappé, captain of the French national team and Real Madrid striker, will collaborate with product developers to test and refine future football footwear and apparel, marking a shift from traditional endorsements. The announcement coincided with Thierry Henry's appointment as Director of Football and the expansion of Swiss national player Sydney Schertenleib's role to include product development. On plans to leverage its LightSpray technology for football products, representing its largest step beyond running. Analysts view this as a strong start but caution about challenges competing with Nike and Adidas, citing performance credibility and low margins on cleats.

• On signed Kylian Mbappé as brand ambassador for its football division; financial terms and duration were not disclosed.
• Mbappé will work with product developers to test and refine football footwear and apparel.
• Thierry Henry was appointed Director of Football, a new role at On.

Converse Apologizes for Ads Evoking Lynching Imagery

Converse, a Nike-owned brand, apologized after social media users said two ads evoked lynching imagery. The first ad, posted on Threads on September 3, featured K-pop star Karina from aespa, with a spotlight and clothing that some users compared to a Klansman’s hood and a lynching scene. The second ad, for a collaboration with Danish brand Palmes, showed a man on a ladder holding sneakers, drawing further criticism. Converse issued an apology, stating they understood why the images were upsetting, and removed the ads from their channels. The controversy highlights an increased scrutiny of advertising imagery and the speed of online backlash.

• Converse apologized for ads evoking lynching imagery.
• The ad featuring Karina was posted on Converse's Threads account on September 3.
• A second ad with Palmes was also criticized and drew comparisons to lynching.

Nike appoints Alexandre Arnault to board

Nike announced that Alexandre Arnault, deputy CEO of LVMH's wine and spirits division Moët Hennessy, will join its board of directors. Arnault, who has held his current role since February 2025, previously oversaw LVMH's acquisition of Rimowa and has experience at Tiffany & Co. and McKinsey. The appointment is part of Nike's efforts to strengthen innovation and brand building amid a protracted turnaround, intense competition in activewear, and slowing lifestyle demand. The company has also recently reset its online distribution in China, launched the Studio Fleece line, named a new CFO, and appointed a commercial chief. Arnault's luxury expertise is expected to help Nike deepen consumer connections and drive long-term growth.

• Alexandre Arnault, deputy CEO of LVMH's Moët Hennessy, joins Nike's board of directors.
• Nike Executive Chairman Mark Parker praised Arnault's reputation for helping iconic global brands evolve and grow.
• Nike recently lost its place on the S&P 100 and is undergoing a complex global turnaround.

PUMA CCO Matthias Baeumer to step down from Management Board

PUMA announces that Chief Commercial Officer Matthias Baeumer will step down from the Management Board, effective as of the announcement date. This is a significant executive leadership change.

PUMA appoints Steve Cecchini to lead global Sports Marketing

PUMA has appointed Steve Cecchini to lead global Sports Marketing, as announced on the newsroom page. This follows the departure of Johan Adamsson, VP Global Sports Marketing & Sports Licensing.

Tom Noble builds wine brand in public, crowdsources opinions

British entrepreneur Tom Noble, previously behind viral coffee chain Flat White or F*ck Off, is now building Chateaunoble, a wine brand, publicly on LinkedIn and Instagram. After the coffee venture's financial struggles, he pivoted to wine, sourcing 150 bottles for £4,600. He uses social media for market research, adjusting strategy based on follower feedback. Noble aims to leverage his growing creator profile to drive sales, with plans for a podcast and even an airline idea. His approach highlights the blurred line between content creation and real business, emphasizing that views don't equal revenue.

• Tom Noble founded Chateaunoble, a wine brand, after the coffee venture Flat White or F*ck Off made £5,500 against £27,000 costs.
• He spent £4,600 to acquire 150 bottles of wine, with potential revenue of around £7,000.
• Noble reached 46,000 Instagram followers and 30 million views for Flat White or F*ck Off.