The verdict was reached on 14 June 2011. This outcome is a direct consequence of PUMA’s successful appeal against the arbitration ruling, which previously required remittance of said funds to the former Spanish licensee and holder of the remaining rights Estudio 2000 S.A. to vest the remaining trademark rights in Spain.

“The ruling by the District Court of Madrid is totally in line with what we had anticipated and frees us from the payment of 98 million Euros for the vesting of PUMA trademark rights,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO of PUMA AG. “We will now make full use of all the options available to us to secure all PUMA trademark rights in Spain.”

PUMA will continue its efforts in uniting all Spanish PUMA trademarks.

Today’s unveiling at the Design Museum in London, brought together high profile football players and CAN artists from each of the 10 PUMA partnered teams, including Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, John Mensah of Ghana and Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast. With the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations® fast approaching, the event was the perfect platform for PUMA to demonstrate how the brand has fused its work within sport and art, seamlessly bringing together two worlds that don’t often collide.

Central to the project is PUMA.Creative (a programme of PUMAVision), that brings together individual artists and organizations, and provides them with a platform for creative exchange and international exposure. Through PUMA.Creative’s CAN programme, artists were commissioned to design a football jersey inspired from the country’s heritage, culture and traditions. Ten artists worked with their home nation to create unique and inspiring designs for the official football kits.

“PUMA has been at the forefront of integrating the two disparate worlds of sport and art, and today through a celebration of football, art, colour and culture, we have shown to the world how these two spheres can be uniquely combined,” comments Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA SE. “PUMA has a long standing history with Africa, and this event demonstrates how as a brand we continue to be fully committed to our relationship with the continent.”

PUMA does indeed have a celebrated history with African football, each year bringing something new and different to the football category. Notable highlights include the African Unity Kit for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the Cameroon Unikit in 2004. Art has also featured prominently in PUMA projects: to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2010, the brand commissioned contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley for a series of portraits with African football players and to design African-inspired lifestyle products.

The PUMA partnered African national teams represented include Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Gabon, Burkina Faso and PUMA’s newest partner South Africa, which signed with the sportlifestyle brand in June 2011. The technical kits have been designed to maximise the player’s on-pitch performance. The jersey fits the body closely to avoid grabbing from the opponent, it also emphasises the physique of the players, allowing them to exhibit their physical presence on the pitch. The fabric features PUMA’s U.S.P Moisture Management technology, enhancing body performance by dragging moisture away from the body, enhancing air flow and keeping the body at the ultimate performance temperature.

Terence Parris, Head of Teamsports Marketing at PUMA SE comments, “African football continues to play a huge part in our global sports marketing strategy. Over the past decade, we have progressively developed our relationship with Africa, investing in grassroots projects, player relationships and African federation partnerships. The emotion and passion of African football perfectly complements our brand ethos and we are uniquely privileged to be in a position to work with a continent with such rich culture and heritage. These football kits embody all of our brand values.”

PUMA has worked with the Design Museum in London to launch a month-long exhibition ‘Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design’ to celebrate PUMA’s inspired new football kit designs for the 10 PUMA partnered African National football teams.

Through the African kits revealed today, ‘Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design’ explores the response of the 10 artists from the Creative African Network, to a demanding brief, focused on Africa’s unique visual identity and culture. The exhibition charts the artists’ journey, inspiration, and design process, demonstrating howAfrica’s culture and history can be captured in both an artwork and a corresponding sportswear design.

The exhibition will feature original artwork and sketches alongside development work and the resulting final football kits created by the artists involved, including Barthélémy Toguo ofCameroon, Zineb Zedira ofAlgeriaand Godfried Donker ofGhanawho have all become renowned in the art world for their emotive and captivating work. The other artists representing their nations are: Saïdou Dicko ofBurkina Faso, Ernest Düku ofIvory Coast, Owanto of Gabon, Hentie van der Merwe ofNamibia, Samba Fall of Senegal, Hasan and Husain Essop ofSouth Africaand El Loko ofTogo.

Alex Newson, Exhibition Curator,DesignMuseum,Londonadds, “As a design challenge, creating a new national football kit is a complicated and demanding brief. The results of the collaboration between PUMA and the group of celebrated artists are remarkable and testament to the talent, pride and passion evident in both African art and football and this exhibition charts this unique journey.”

The exhibition is open for public viewing from November 8 – 27, 2011, 10.00am – 17.45pm.

Continuing with a partnership that started in 1998, PUMA will remain the official supplier of playing kits, training and representation apparel and equipment for all associated Swiss national teams, including the National A, Youth, Women’s and Futsal teams. PUMA will also extend its active partnerships of various SFV grass roots and youth initiatives, including the Credit Suisse Football Academies.

Today in Feusisberg, Switzerland, PUMA also unveiled the new home playing kit for the Swiss National Team. Part of the Power 12 range of PUMA kits that includes Italy, Uruguay, Czech Republic and Austria, the Switzerland kit is unique as it incorporates the Swiss flag on the shirt, shorts and socks, in addition to the SFV badge. Engineered mesh at the front of the shirt increases breathability and a technical fabric greatly improves moisture wicking tendencies.

Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA SE said, “We are delighted to extend and deepen our partnership with the Swiss Football Association. The SFV’s work and commitment to the development of football at all levels in Switzerland is very impressive, evidenced by both the Switzerland U17 team winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year and the U21 team reaching the final of the UEFA U21 Championship earlier this year. We are proud to be associated with SFV, as they strive to build on these successes in the coming years.”

Alex Miescher, General Secretary of SFV commented, “The SFV has enjoyed a highly successful partnership with PUMA over a 13 year period, and we are thrilled to announce the continuation of this relationship. PUMA’s proficiency in developing technical performance playing and training apparel is second to none, and their support in the development of our grass-roots and youth programmes has been instrumental. They are the perfect partner for the SFV in every respect, and we very happy to continue with them.”

In addition to the SFV, PUMA also partners with Swiss international players Johan Djourou, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Diego Benaglio and Xavier Margairaz.

Rinaldo Sagramola, Palermo Football Club CEO confimed the new agreement by saying, “We are proud to be entering into this partnership with PUMA, and look forward to working with them from the 2012/13 season in prospect. PUMA has such credibility in the development of high quality performance football apparel, and the sales and distribution of licensed products, this new partnership is one that will significantly benefit Palermo for years to come.”

PUMA currently partners with several International football federations including Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Uruguay, Chiles, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria. The sportlifestyle brand also has a strong player portfolio in football that includes Gigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Samuel Eto’o, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero, Radamel Falcao, Yaya Toure,Thierry Henry, Nemanja Vidic, Mario Gomez and Marco Reus.

The new Palermo Club Football Kit will be launched by PUMA in advance of the 2012/13 football season.

Building on a successful nine year relationship, PUMA has significantly deepened its contractual involvement with the FIGC to place a global emphasis on expanding the profile and commercial potential of the FIGC brand driven by its newly established international sports licensing division. This evolution sees the FIGC partnership become the most comprehensive in the global PUMA football portfolio, and gives PUMA the scope to substantially increase its licensing opportunities that exist through one of the most prominent and successful federations in world football.

Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA said, “We have enjoyed a highly successful relationship with the FIGC over the past nine years, and as such we are delighted to have reached this new agreement and considerably expand our partnership with them. It underlines PUMA’s reinforced commitment to further strengthen its position as one of the top 3 football brands because the Italian National Team, more than any other national team property in world football, perfectly embodies PUMA’s unique Sportlifestyle positioning. Holding the Master License of the FIGC enables us to elevate our work with them to a truly global level; this is a new venture for PUMA, and one that we are fully confident will be successful.”

Today in Genoa, PUMA also launched the new Italy away kit. Part of the Power 12 range of PUMA playing kits that includes Uruguay, Chile, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria. The FIGC Italia Away shirt has a regular fit with a classic look, re-introducing the horizontal blue stripe for the first time since 1974 – a signature feature that stretches across the chest enhancing the breathable performance of the shirt. The V neck has a double layer in mesh fabric and contrast colour inside, while the underarm range of movement mesh allows both a better fit and a more comfortable arm movement. The deep cuffs in shell fabric add to the classic look of the shirt, and the number and lettering features the PUMA Gaffer font-type.

Giancarlo Abete, President of the FIGC commented, “PUMA has been a great partner for us, and we are very happy to not only continue but also deepen our relationship with them. Their licensing expertise, ideas and commitment to expanding the commercial potential of this partnership are impressive, and have led us to create this new contract. PUMA’s proficiency in design, marketing and global sales distribution is among the best in the industry, which gives us great confidence for the future.”

In addition to the Italian Football Federation, PUMA signed a new partnership with the South African Football Association (SAFA) last year and extended its partnership with the Swiss Football Association (SFV). The global Sportlifestyle brand continues to partner with Italian internationals Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, and recently added Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao, and Yaya Toure amongst others to its portfolio.

Never out of the news for long, Balotelli wore PUMA boots on pitch for the first time last week in AC Milan’s game against Roma and again in the Milan Derby last night. The PUMA evoPOWER Stampa FG were covered in the news headlines that have defined his career to date.

Sports brand PUMA is proud to announce a new long-term partnership with the International Icon Mario Balotelli. The Italy Striker becomes the latest sporting sensation to join PUMA’s family of star players and athletes that includes Usain Bolt, Sergio Agüero, Cesc Fàbregas, Marco Reus, Radamel Falcao and Rickie Fowler.

Never out of the news for long, Balotelli wore PUMA boots on pitch for the first time last week in AC Milan’s game against Roma and again in the Milan Derby last night. The PUMA evoPOWER Stampa FG were covered in the news headlines that have defined his career to date.

Mario Balotelli is a key signing for PUMA and will become a key asset in PUMA’s brand and football communication over the coming years. PUMA’s long-standing partnership with the Italian Football Association (FIGC) is another strategic focus in which the Italian Centre Forward will play a significant role.

Speaking about the new partnership with PUMA, Mario Balotelli said: “This is a great move for me. From the early conversations I had with PUMA it was clear that they understand me, my personality and my ambition. The product and marketing plans they have developed are very exciting and I will be proud to be associated with everything I have seen. PUMA’s support for the Italian National team was another instrumental reason for me signing this contract and I am sure that the coming years will bring many good things for us all.”

Björn Gulden, CEO of PUMA, commented: “Mario Balotelli is a world class football player who will become a key ambassador for PUMA as his passion, speed, agility and power make him a perfect fit for our brand. With the FIFA World Cup in Brazil ahead of us, 2014 will be an important year for PUMA. Having Mario to complement an already strong sports-marketing portfolio, he will support our new brand mission ‘Forever Faster’ which will have a significant impact for the PUMA brand.”

Imagery and further assets can be downloaded from the PUMA Press Centre: about.puma.com/en/Newsroom

PUMA and Arsenal will work together to bring further innovation into the sports brand’s performance apparel range. Both organisations will work collaboratively on a global strategy to drive mutual growth across all football markets, achieved through PUMA’s global sales network, international tours and integrated marketing activities. Arsenal also presents PUMA with its most prominent platform to showcase performance products through its significant global fanbase, profile and reputation.

Having extended and deepened its relationship with the FIGC (Italian Football Federation), signed 2013 UEFA Champions LeagueTM finalists Borussia Dortmund and bolstered its player portfolio with Sergio Agüero, Cesc Fàbregas, Mario Balotelli, Radamel Falcao, Olivier Giroud and Yaya Touré amongst others; PUMA is defining itself as the clear number three football brand.

Bjoern Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “Arsenal have been a key strategic target for PUMA for a number of years now. Through a clear commercial vision, a well-defined sports marketing strategy and a relentless enthusiasm within the PUMA organisation, we’re proud to have signed this partnership with a truly global football club. As we enter a new era in our company history, Arsenal represents a major commercial and marketing opportunity to reinforce PUMA’s credibility as a global sports brand, and we have full confidence the plans in place to activate this partnership will have a significant global impact.”

Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive Officer at Arsenal Football Club said: “We are excited to be partnering with PUMA, a company whose football heritage and record of innovation have a strong affinity with our own. This represents another important step forward in Arsenal’s progression on and off the pitch.”

Imagery and further assets can be downloaded from the PUMA Press Centre: about.puma.com/en/Newsroom

Media Contacts:

PUMA
Tim Stedman, International PR, PUMA
+49 151 1474 3148
tim.stedman@puma.com

Arsenal
Mark Gonnella, Communications Director
+44 207 704 4010
mgonnella@arsenal.co.uk

Katie Baldwin, Senior PR Manager
+44 207 704 4010
kbaldwin@arsenal.co.uk

PUMA will remain a long-term partner of the FACR, supporting Czech football teams in all age and branch categories. The new agreement has also been extended to include beach football and futsal. On the threshold of the EURO 2016 qualifications, this renewal sends a strong and positive message to all football supporters in the Czech Republic.

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing, PUMA International commented, “We are proud to renew our longstanding partnership with the Czech Republic Football Association. Next year, we will celebrate the 20th year of this partnership and we are delighted to be extending it for another long-term period. The FACR was one of PUMA’s first major football sponsorships in our company's modern era, and has played a role in PUMA becoming one of the most innovative and leading football brands. We look forward to building on the success we have enjoyed together for the coming years.”

Miroslav Pelta, Chair of FACR said, “The duration of this extended partnership between PUMA and the Football Association of the Czech Republic is testament to our mutual satisfaction and trust. PUMA has become a sponsor of ours with enhanced representation that now includes soccer futsal and beach football, which we see as an important step in strengthening our cooperation.”

Marek Drvota, General Manager PUMA Eastern Europe added, “The partnership with the Football Association is very important for us on the local level. I’m pleased that we can build on the almost-twenty-year successful partnership. Our company wants to support the Football Association both in successful times and in the times when things don’t go as expected, because this is what sports are about. We are a sport brand that wants to support all the sportsmen in the world. I believe we will manage to be a stable partner for the FACR for years to come.”

Along with the national team’s promising start in the qualification for the 2016 UEFA European ChampionshipTM, the extension of the long term partnership is another positive sign for the future of Austrian football. The new agreement sees PUMA providing the official playing kits for all associated ÖFB teams, including the men’s, women’s and all youth national teams. PUMA also remains to be the federation’s official partner in relation to replica kits, fanwear and other merchandise.

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at PUMA said, “For us this is a very special partnership, the longest standing in PUMA’s history. Over the past 40 years we have formed a relationship of trust, and one that has been consistently based on common values and aspirations. We are delighted with this extension, and wish the ÖFB great success as they look to build on their great start to the European ChampionshipTM qualification.”

ÖFB president Leo Windtner added, “We have long standing relationships with most of our partners, all of which are based on trust, mutual appreciation and the right balance between giving and taking. However, a partnership over such a long period of time is unique to us, and it shows it is profitable for either side. I am very pleased about PUMA keeping their faith with us, continuing to be a great technical partner.”

Alfred Ludwig, ÖFB General Director commented, “Working with the same technical partner for four decades is proof in itself of a highly successful partnership. PUMA have been a great partner during this period of time and we now look forward to the upcoming years and their ongoing support. We appreciate this partnership especially from a product point of view, where PUMA always perform at high standards and surprise with exciting innovations, like the ACTV technology they launched this year. These bring us great benefit.”

Through this agreement, the FIGC and PUMA will actively work together on a number of projects to grow the image, profile and commerciality of the FIGC on a global level. This will entail shared marketing investment allocated to core areas of focus within the FIGC programme including youth development, women’s football, countering racism and the internationalisation of the FIGC brand.

As PUMA continues to reassert itself as a Global Sport Brand with strong heritage in performance, the FIGC partnership is one of great strategic importance. Dating back more than ten years, PUMA first became the partner of the ‘Squadre Nazionali’ in 2003. This next era will see the partnership continue to expand and instigate greater mutual return to both organisations.

Bjørn Gulden, Chief Executive Officer for PUMA said: “Extending this long standing partnership with the FIGC is extremely important to PUMA and is another key step towards our goal to become the Fastest Sport Brand in the World. The FIGC with all its heritage and class is a major ingredient in our football portfolio and there is a clear vision amongst their new senior management that we share and are enthusiastic to support. The coming years will see a deeper commitment from PUMA to the FIGC and we see great commercial opportunity through a partnership that has continued to grow yet retains great potential.”

Carlo Tavecchio, President of the FIGC commented: “The partnership extension with PUMA represents a very important result for the FIGC. It will bring benefit us greatly both in affirming our brand at an international level and because it will see both organizations committed to developing special projects. The FIGC has defined a 360 development plan that is effective across the National A Team to the youth teams, from women’s football to social responsibility projects. In addressing these ambitious plans, PUMA will be a highly valued partner that we are proud to have with us for a long time.

The new away shirt features an Italian flag inspired sublimation print stripe that reaches all the way from the collar to the hem, with a 3D framed FIGC badge being bedded into the stripe to complete the look. The tailored blue collar adds a nice contrast to the white base colour of the shirt. Further details include the blue mesh form stripe inserts on the shoulders, and the blue PUMA logo on the chest. The official PUMA font, which is exclusively designed for the FIGC offers a finishing touch to this new shirt.

As with the official FIGC home shirt, the new away shirt features PUMA’s performance enhancing ACTV technology. The ACTV tape is placed in strategic positions on the shirt to fulfil different functions, supporting the body’s physiological performance by cooling it in hot conditions and heating it in cool weather.  PUMA’s dryCELL technology further improves the comfort as it wicks moisture away from the skin’s surface to keep the wearer dry.

Torsten Hochstetter, Global Creative Director at PUMA said, “The new Italy away kit was created with a lot of attention to detail. Strong Italian cultural influences inspire the design, there is such richness in the heritage of Italian football and we had a lot to work with.  We are proud of the end result and look forward to a big event in France next summer.  We wish the Italian team well for the remainder of their qualification.”

Carlo Tavecchio, President of the FIGC commented, “We would like to thank PUMA that will tomorrow make its debut with our National Team, and then be provided to all our youth, women’s futsal and beach soccer teams.  The national team is the sporting symbol of our country's best known and appreciated players that are celebrated across the world, and the flag in the centre of the jersey will be another means to promote the image of Italian football and the Italian system. PUMA remains a partner of great value for the FIGC."

The new Italy away shirt (with and without the ATCV technology) and a new collection of matching fan wear is now available to buy on puma.com/Italy

International Media Contacts:

PUMA
Tim Stedman, International PR, PUMA
+49 151 1474 3148
tim.stedman@puma.com      

FIGC
Paolo Corbi, Capo Ufficio Stampa FIGC
+39 335 7636050
p.corbi@figc.it