TTOC sign 4-year deal with PUMA

Effective January 1, 2017, PUMA is the TTO C, Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association and Team Trinidad and Tobago (Team TTO ) podium, lifestyle, training, competition and presentation wear partner.

The TTO C’s multiple Olympic cycle partnership with Adidas came to an end on December 31, 2016 and it was reported that the decision not to renew the partnership was amicable.

President of the TTO C, Brian Lewis, thanked Adidas for its commitment to the TT Olympic movement.

Lewis said yesterday, “we have built such good friendships and partnerships with Adidas over the last four Olympic cycles and they have been so supportive of all our initiatives including the marathon walk.

They always made sure I had the best shoes, the best everything, even the eye wear.

They paid attention to every detail.” Lewis stated that the collaboration between TTO C and Adidas at the 2016 Rio Olympics was a highpoint. “The design of the Rio 2016 collection remains a high point for me in the relationship. It took about three years of meetings with the TTO C, designs going back and forth.” The TTO C president said despite some criticism, the performance of the TT athletes have encouraged brands to take notice. “One of the critical strategic boxes that has to be ticked for a global brand is your performance. The fact that the TTO C, contrary to views, showed even in Rio that there was the potential for the future. You look at all the finalists with the exception of Cleopatra Borel, they (are) in their early twenties. The future appears very bright for Team TTO in the context of the Olympic Games and going to the Olympic Games.” Lewis added that the TTO C continues to take the initiative in an effort to develop the national athletes. One such initiative was a Michael Johnson (former USA 200m and 400m Olympic champion) Workshop, which was held in December.

“You have to keep pushing the envelope because change is the only constant and you have to keep building your brand equity and your brand value and your brand proposition and that is what we have worked at doing,” Lewis declared.