FILA Holdings Inc.

- FILA Holdings establishes ‘FUTURA Innovation Team’ and ‘Design Team’ with recruitment of world-class designers and industry leaders to successfully execute five-year global strategy ‘WINNING TOGETHER’

FILA Holdings Corp., which operates global sports brand, FILA, today announced its reorganization of key global teams, heralding a shift in marketing and design leadership. The new structure aims to strengthen the company’s organizational capabilities in order to successfully execute its five-year global strategy ‘WINNING TOGETHER,’ which was announced in February 2022.

The newly established teams are the FUTURA Innovation Team, focusing on innovation and sustainability, and the Design Team, tasked with developing global product ranges to bolster FILA’s brand image and positioning globally. Together seeking to redefine FILA’s brand value, the two teams are operating under FILA Luxembourg S.a.r.L., a wholly owned subsidiary of FILA Holdings that oversees FILA’s global trademarks except for in China, Hong Kong, and Macao, which are under the leadership of ANTA Sports.

Both teams are led by Global Strategic Marketing Director Luca Bertolino, leader in sports and lifestyle brands for over 25 years, accumulating expertise in a range of areas such as strategy, product development, sales forecasting, sales, marketing, and distribution. The FUTURA Innovation Team and the Design Team also feature key members with decades of experience playing pivotal roles for leading global sports brands, including developing signature products.

The FUTURA Innovation Team will develop specialized footwear categories based on high technology and sustainability, with three main goals of building brand momentum, advancing tennis-based products and marketing, and leading sustainable management. The team is headed by industry-leading innovator Mikal Peveto, who helped to guide innovation while working at FILA in the early-to-mid-2000s. Since then, he developed a number of footwear products for global sports brands such as Nike and Adidas, including supporting the development and commercialization of Adidas' ‘Boost’ technology. Until recently, Peveto was president of Blumaka, an American sustainable footwear product manufacturer that develops midsoles and insoles using recycled materials. In joining FILA, he will catalyze the brand’s next leap forward.

Heading up FUTURA’s design team is David Bond, who was instrumental in building Nike's ‘Jordan’ brand and Under Armour’s ‘Curry’ series. Bond is set to focus on bringing key innovations to FILA's signature footwear lineup. Meanwhile, the Engineering Division is led by Mark Sheehan and Jason Stewart. Sheehan has extensive experience developing representative technologies such as Nike’s ‘Air Max’ and Under Armour’s ‘HOVR,’ while former Olympian Stewart achieved great success planning Adidas' high-performance 'Adizero’ footwear collection, known for its impact in helping athletes set new records. Through the FUTURA Innovation Team, FILA wants to create a new spirit of innovation in the global sports brand world.

"I'm delighted to rejoin FILA, which boasts such a rich history of brand leadership, and at an important time when it is implementing the global five-year strategy," said Peveto. He added, "Using my long-standing technological background and experience in sustainable management, I'll do my best to differentiate FILA’s products and improve its competitiveness."

The Design Team, aiming to boost FILA’s global apparel, footwear, and accessory ranges, is led by Torsten Hochstetter as the new Global Head of Design. He is an award-winning designer who has enjoyed outstanding achievements in leadership across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. over the past 27 years. Hochstetter served as a Global Creative Director at Puma from 2013 to 2021, when his team was recognized with multiple accolades, including the ISPO Award and iF Design Award. He also worked for Adidas for 15 years, forging creative designs and being rewarded with the prestigious title of ‘Red Dot: Design Team of the Year.’

In addition, Paola Loglisci joins the Design Team as Head of Apparel & Accessories. She has strengthened her expertise during over 20 years of international experience in the sportswear and fashion apparel industry, delivering business results in different organization formats in both wholesale and retail environments, including previously working with FILA until 2008 as well as other brands such as Nike and Intersport International.

Moreover, Mark Eggert is responsible for the Design Team’s Footwear Division, continuing his 17-year journey with FILA since joining the brand in 2005. As an expert in branding and heritage, he played a key role in the modern reinterpretation of FILA's now iconic ‘Disruptor 2’ sneaker. He was also a driving force behind the design of performance footwear such as the representative tennis shoes 'Speedserve' and 'Axilus 2 Energized.' Going forward, he will focus on designing market-leading footwear.

Under Hochstetter’s guidance, the Design Team is currently planning various products under the company’s global five-year strategy and is set to introduce a new collection for consumers around the world in time for the 2023 F/W season.

"Elevating brand value through strengthening manpower is one of our key priorities for the global reorganization of FILA,” said Keun-Chang Yoon, CEO and President of FILA Holdings. “Based on the brand's unique heritage dating back to 1911 in Biella, Italy, we will establish a global FILA network and strengthen our global capabilities, positioning ourselves as an all-round sports brand pursuing innovation, sustainability, and global appeal."