Kevin Wulff gave us this interview on June 21, just before the start of the 2012 Olympic Trials in Eugene.
Wulff’s first real year as President of ASICS America has been a tough one, but from Kevin’s tone, a learning year.
The brand that was numero uno in performance running for nineteen years, has dropped to number two, behind Brooks. Wulff admits that there were problems and is working hard to solve them.
In this industry, Run Specialty stores see ASICS as one of their key brands. There are probably seven or eight that make the bulk of the business in Run specialty. Several of the brands have been firing on all cylinders, Brooks has done some very good things to position themselves as number 1.
The gist of Kevin Wulff’s message: we made some mistakes, but we are fighting back and want you, Run Specialty to give us the chance to prove our value to you. Only time will tell on how ASICS America has risen from their challenges.
All brands have tough times, it is the test of character to see how that brand listens to its partners and reacts to the challenges. Stay Tuned.
Author
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
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