K-Pop girl group "IVE" is the newest ambassador of PUMA

Global sports brand PUMA has selected K-Pop girl group "IVE", an icon of the MZ generation under Starship Entertainment, as its ambassador in 15 countries in Asia and Oceania. IVE is expected to star in various brand campaigns and events, which PUMA plans to launch in order to communicate actively with fans and consumers around the world and captivate the global market.

 

To officially welcome the group to the brand's growing roster of ambassadors, PUMA has unveiled the first pictorial with IVE, featuring the 6 members styled with PUMA's iconic T7 track jacket and Suede sneakers.

“IVE is one of the representative K-pop girl groups, loved throughout the APAC region. We are delighted to have IVE as PUMA's new APAC Ambassador. We will be carrying out Puma's various campaigns throughout the APAC region with IVE, and we ask for your continuous interest and support in PUMA's unique style with IVE's charm added," said Puma.

 

IVE's first full-scale album "I've IVE" released in April sold more than 1.1 million copies, propelling the group to become a million seller for two consecutive years. The group sustained their continued popularity after their title song "I AM" topped Korea's major music sites and "Kitsch" made it to the top 5 on the weekly chart of Melon and Genie.

 

The group has also been gaining success overseas. Their double title songs catapulted them to the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. US charts. “I AM” charted for 8 consecutive weeks and ranked 38th while "Kitsch" ranked 168th on Billboard Global 200. The group also recently released their first Japanese album “WAVE” and has since started their full-fledged global activities. IVE is looking to sustain the success of their first fan concert tour "The Prom Queens" in Singapore on June 30th and Thailand on July 8th, following their successful run in Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

 

Moreover, starting with the release of the Korea Exclusive Campaign on July 17^th, IVE will continue to support the APAC region in the coming months, and is expected to capture the hearts of consumers in Asia and Oceania.

 

Kai Sotto is PUMA's newest global brand ambassador

Global sports brand PUMA marks its bold foray into the Philippine basketball market by naming Kai Sotto as its first Filipino baller to serve as the newest global brand ambassador. The German sports brand revealed its partnership with the Filipino hooper import during its recently concluded autumn/winter collection preview party last April 19. 

 

One of the best homegrown players from the Philippines, Kai is considered as one of the top basketball prospects in Asia and has a significant following among Filipino basketball fans the world over. His partnership with PUMA is set to strengthen the brand’s presence in the basketball scene and appeal to young consumers who identify with his talent, personality and style.

 

“His rising popularity and boundless potential in the local and international basketball scene is a testament to his hard work to make a name for himself and raise the Philippine flag on the world stage. Kai’s basketball career mirrors the PUMA brand values of bravery, confidence, determination and joy, all of which advance our FOREVER FASTER mantra,” said PUMA Philippines Country Manager Paolo Misa.

The former UAAP juniors champion and MVP left the Philippines in 2019 to pursue his NBA dreams and has since made an impressive stint in the international basketball scene as a Filipino import for club teams in Australia and Japan. Kai signed with Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) from 2021 to 2022. Today, the 7-foot-3 Pinoy import is playing with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan B.League. The Filipino basketball community hopes for his return to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas to help the country’s campaign at the FIBA World Cup this year.

 

“My style and story as an athlete has always been about getting faster and better in every game. I am proud to be part of a brand that represents both my story and the values that are inherent to Pinoys. I am excited and happy to be the new cat in the PUMA family,” said Kai.

 

PUMA’s partnership with Kai marks the start of the brand’s expansion plans in the market as a full subsidiary. As the first Filipino hooper to be part of the global PUMA family, Kai shares the excitement of his fans at home and looks forward to engaging with them and achieving even greater things with the fastest sports brand in the world.

 

In a true FOREVER FASTER fashion, the sports brand welcomed Kai as its newest global ambassador with a dedicated page on PUMA Philippine website. Fans can now visit the page to see Kai’s favorite PUMA collection such as suede classic sneakers, basketball shoes, hoodies, and sweatpants. Follow Kai Sotto and PUMA’s social media pages for thrilling news and updates about the collaboration.

PUMA held an exclusive preview of its Maiden AW23 Collection Party in PH

Global sports brand PUMA is officially marking its presence in the Philippines with an exclusive preview of its autumn/winter collection, which will be available in the market starting July this year. Inspired by its FOREVER FASTER mantra, PUMA’s invite-only AW23 collection preview party was a brazen ode and homage to the streets and humans of Manila.

PUMA opened its first flagship store last November 2022 in Glorietta, Makati City and now has 22 franchise stores nationwide. 

As part of its expansion plans in the market, the German sports brand will open a few new stores in this quarter, serving more PUMA’s fans in Metro Manila, Laguna and Cebu.

“The Philippines, being a nation of loyal sports fans and fashion-savvy consumers, has so much potential and presents a lot of wonderful opportunities for the brand. This was a major factor in our decision to come in stronger as a full-on subsidiary and increase our presence in every aspect of the business,” said PUMA Philippines Country Manager Paolo Misa.

Beyond expanding its footprint for PUMA stores, the brand has also started growing its presence in key sports and lifestyle retailers, online and offline, nationwide. PUMA plans to be visible in terms of supporting key athletes, partnering with lifestyle icons, and pushing major events that are representative of the exciting categories that the brand represents.

 

The AW23 collection showcased a range of activewear fitted for the sports and street style-savvy Filipinos.

@lola_lamon @PUMA held its invite-only AW23 collection preview party with #kylieversoza #danielmatsunaga and #marlonstockinger joining the runway #pumaph #pumainmanila #foreverfaster ♬ Live Your Beautiful Life - Gray Griggs

 

“Sports is at the heart of PUMA. We are eager to play our part and help nurture it in the country, with emphasis on youth development. For 75 years, PUMA continues to push sports and culture forward by challenging conventions, innovating through design, and supporting the next generation. Through history, culture, performance and design, PUMA is committed to being FOREVER FASTER” PUMA South East Asia General Manager Sanjay Roy explained.

 

More than a fashion show: FOREVER FASTER in the streets of Manila

PUMA showcased its AW23 collection on a make-believe streets of Manila-styled runway. The show narrated the different stories of Pinoy bravery witnessed by the streets of Manila; lauded      Filipinos’ inherent confidence; paid homage to Pinoy pride; and celebrated Filipino resiliency. 

 

The brand’s maiden fashion show also featured Pinoy movers, breakers and game-changers in the Philippines, representing the brand’s four core values namely Pinoy bravery, confidence, determination and joy – the same core values under the brand’s FOREVER FASTER mantra.

 

Former motorsports and racing driver Marlon Stöckinger, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza, and actor Daniel Matsunaga hit the AW23 collection runway. Model Santino Rosales, the son of renowned actor Jericho Rosales, also walked the runway.

The Face of PUMA Philippines

In addition to the brand’s expansion plans, PUMA is also celebrating another milestone with the introduction of professional basketball player Kai Sotto as its first-ever Filipino brand ambassador. The brand surprised the preview party guests with a short video of Kai Sotto greeting Filipino fans. Stay tuned for more.

 

Festival Mall welcomes French retail giant GO Sport

Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City adds another global brand to its roster of lifestyle stores with the opening of French sports retail chain GO Sport’s very first Southeast Asia branch.

Located at Festival Mall’s posh Expansion Wing, GO Sport certainly opened with a punch, with VIP brand ambassadors gracing the opening – boxing champ Manny Pacquiao; basketball players Jeff Chan, RR Garcia, and Jericho Cruz, and Jonathan Grey; sportscasters Anton Roxas and Martin Javier; fitness coach Sel Guevara; tennis player Tin Patrimonio; Olympian and record-holding swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi; golfers Lexus Keoninh and Guido Van Der Valk; and Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) Founder Alvin Aguilar.

Also among the guests are GO Sport CEO Pascal Banet, politician Chavit Singson, Game of Thrones and professional weighlifter Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, and beauty queen/ host Laura Lehmann.

GO Sport boasts of a spacious selling area to house an impressive selection of sports goods and apparel catering to possibly every sport and trusted brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, Under Armour, and many more. Whether for beginners seeking to try out a new sport, for hobbyists, or for seasoned athletes searching for better equipment, GO Sport has everything for everyone.

“High standard and high quality don’t have to mean high price,” says Banet. “We don’t want to have a store that is too pricey; we want to have a store that can serve everyone.”

With future plans to expand further in Southeast Asia, GO Sport has found its first home in the region and in the Philippines at Festival Mall, the place where fresh, unique concepts and original ideas are given ample space to thrive and become part of the community.

Ambassadors -  (From left) PBA player Jonathan Grey, PBA reporter and Fitness Coach Sel Guevara, Olympic swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, sportscaster Anton Roxas, tennis player Tin Patrimonio, PBA player Jericho Cruz, People's Champ Sen. Manny Pacquiao, PBA players RR Garcia and Jeff Chan, and golfers Guido Van der Valk and Lexus Keoninh



Festival Mall is a Filinvest Lifemall and a premier development in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. It is the only mall with five anchor stores: Shopwise Supercenter, SaveMore, Robinsons Department Store, Ace Hardware and Handyman. It has over 700 shops, almost 4,000 parking slots, various food outlets, and indoor amusement rides.