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PUMA
Founded in 1924 by Rudolf Dassler, PUMA is a German sportswear brand best known for its athletic apparel and various sportswear goods.In more recent years, PUMA has made a significant effort in expanding its influence in the fashion and lifestyle realm through collaborations with KITH, Solange Knowles, Alexander McQueen, Va$htie, Brooklyn We Go Hard, ALIFE and ICNY. At the end of 2014, the company appointed Rihanna as the new creative director for the women’s department signalling PUMA’s intent on veering away from its identity as just another traditional sportswear brand. Though certainly a mainstay in the world of sports in its own right, the company has historic ties to adidas, whose founder is Dassler’s brother Adolf, also known as Adi. Following a deterioration of their relationship, the brothers went separate ways resulting in the formation of the two entities. The company has a very high presence in the world of soccer in particular, with sponsorship deals with some of the best players of the past and present, including the likes of Sergio Agüero, Marco Reus, Radamel Falcao, Pelé, Johan Cruyff, Lothar Matthäus, and Diego Maradona.
2014
Rihanna is named PUMA's global brand ambassador for women's training and PUMA Women's Creative Director, overseeing the direction of the womenswear line, working in partnership with PUMA's Internal Product Creation team
Puma signs a five-year kit deal worth £30 million-a-year with Arsenal
2008
Designer and artist Hussein Chalayan becomes Creative Director
2007
Voluntary public take-over by Pinault-Printemps Redoute
2006
The Italian national football team, sponsored by Puma, wins the FIFA World Cup
Releases a show collection in collaboration with Alexander McQueen
2003
Puma signs sprinter Usain Bolt
2001
Acquisition of the Scandinavian Tretorn Group
2000
Production of fireproof footwear in partnership with Porsche and Sparco
1998
Puma begins a collaboration with designer Jil Sander
1994
First profit recorded since the company's IPO in 1986
1993
Jochen Zeitz is appointed Chairman and CEO
1991
Launch of the DISC SYSTEM sports shoe
1989
Launch of the TRINOMIC technology
1986
Puma goes public
1974
Rçudolf Dassler passes away while his sons Armin and Gerd take over the company
1973
Launch of the CLYDE; designed for basketball player Walt "Clyde" Frazier as a wider-fitting version of SUEDE model
1968
Launch of the SUEDE
1958
Introduction of Puma's signature "Formstrip" at the FIFA World Cup in Sweden
1952
Introduction of the SUPER ATOM, the world's first boot with screw in studs
1949
Rudolf Dassler has the idea of football shoes with removable studs; he begins working on their development and production.
1948
ATOM, Puma’s first football shoe, is introduced
Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler is founded by Rudolf Dassler (Adolf “Adi” Dassler leaves the company to create adidas)
1924
Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik is founded by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler
