Dave Thomas to replace Erick Haskell as Adidas India MD

Adidas India Managing Director, Erick Haskell, who played a large role

in reviving company’s image in the country after Reebok controversy, has put in his papers to pursue new career interests. He is being replaced by Dave Thomas, a 16-year veteran of the Adidas Group. He will report to Osman Ayaz, MD, Emerging Markets, Adidas.

Thomas has been with Adidas since February 1998. He has held sales and marketing roles in Australia, at the Group’s HQ in Germany and in Hong Kong. His most recent assignments saw him work in Japan from January 2008 until year-end 2013. Since January 2014, Thomas has been the Brand Director for Adidas Emerging Markets, based in Dubai, where he has been driving the Adidas brand and business in West Asia, Africa and Turkey.

After getting embroiled in a controversy over alleged fraud at Reebok’s India operations, parent company Adidas is trying hard to salvage its image in the country amid tough competition from rivals like Nike and Puma. The company is planning a strategy to strengthen its presence in India.