ASICS Creates New Global Digital Division to Deepen Relationship with Consumer

ASICS Corporation, a leading global sporting goods company, has created a new Global Digital Division, to focus on innovative digital technologies that help it better connect with consumers, starting from October 1st, 2016.

The Division will be based in Boston and led by Jason Jacobs, the founder and CEO of Runkeeper, who joined ASICS group via its acquisition of Runkeeper in March 2016. The Runkeeper team will remain a core part of the growing Division and will be as committed as ever to helping people develop lasting fitness routines. The Division will continue to add team members in Boston and around the globe.

Since the smartphone and wearable markets were first created, digital technology has opened up the world of fitness tracking to the masses, allowing people to develop fitness routines, connect with other like-minded fitness enthusiasts, and stay motivated better than ever before. As these devices and technology improve and spread, they’ll continue to better enable consumers to develop deeper relationships with sports, particularly with the fitness brands they’ve long purchased products from. Establishing this new Global Digital Division will ensure that ASICS makes innovating in the area of digital technology a core strategic priority, and will be a leader in this emerging area.

“We are investing in Digital as we shift to a more consumer-centric model overall and continue to pursue our founding philosophy of a sound mind in a sound body,” said Motoi Oyama, President and CEO of ASICS Corporation. “When we acquired Runkeeper, we were not just inheriting a great product and brand, but also an incredible team that could help us drive and execute our digital strategy across the company.”

The areas the Division will be responsible for include the continued development of Runkeeper and other consumer-centric mobile apps and e-commerce platform, and many other mobile and digital technology experiences that help consumers better connect with the ASICS brand and with sport.

ASICS will continue to strive to fulfill its vision to “Create Quality Lifestyle through Intelligent Sport Technology” and to work with business partners that share its commitment to a sustainable and fair sporting goods industry.

For further details on ASICS, please see the company website
http://corp.asics.com/en