Adidas promotes Zion Armstrong to North America president

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Apr 24, 2018

Adidas has promoted New Zealand-born Zion Armstrong as its new president for North America. Armstrong succeeds Mark King who helped revive the brand's fortunes in the territory and steps down this summer.

Armstrong began co-leading Adidas' North America business in 2015 with King. He first joined Adidas in the late 1990s as a product manager for New Zealand, before relocating to the company's German headquarters in 2002. He led Asia Pacific for nine years before moving into the the North America business in June of 2015.

Under the joint leadership of Armstrong and King, Adidas breathed new life into its North America business. The duo grew sales 35% in 2017, doubling the brand's market share and pushing it to its current position as #2 sports brand in the US behind Nike.

In a statement, Adidas Executive Board member and head of Global Sales, Roland Auschel said the transition would be "seamless" and had been "well-prepared," going on to point out that Armstrong "has been instrumental to our success over the last three years." 

"We are convinced that [Armstrong's] leadership will enable us to continue our successful journey in North America," he added. 

Mark King is a 35-year veteran of Adidas. According to Auschel, he leaves the company on good terms and will remain available as an advisor.

Armstrong's appointment is effective July 1, 2018.