Jimmy Weigl, currently managing director for the Adidas Group in Central Europe, is to take the helm of the group's global sports marketing and sports relations, following Michael Riehl's sudden death from cancer last month at the age of 56. Riehl has held the job since 2001 and was a warmly appreciated partner for sports federations and other organizations, as shown by the reactions to his untimely demise. Fifa, the global football organization, said Riehl was also on its marketing and television commission.
The 48-year-old Weigl is a heavy-weight in the Adidas Group, which he joined just over two decades ago. Until 2006 he was in charge of the company's football business, leading the Adidas brand into its impressive success at the football World Cup in Germany. The next year he took over the leadership of the group's business in Iberia, until he returned to Germany in 2010 to take charge of Central Europe, which covers ten countries. He will take over in sports marketing in July, reporting to Erich Stamminger, the executive board member in charge of global brands.
Weigl will be succeeded in Central Europe by Winand Krawinkel, who joined the Adidas Group in 2006 and became its managing director in South Africa in 2011. He was previously marketing director for the Adidas brand in Italy. Krawinkel will switch to Germany in July, reporting to Roland Auschel, the group's chief sales officer for multichannel markets. Krawinkel's successor has yet to be appointed.
