PUMA AG's Supervisory Board decided to extend the contract of Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, ahead of schedule for the following five years until 2012. In addition Melody Harris-Jensbach has been appointed as Deputy CEO
of PUMA AG. As a member of the PUMA Board of Management she will take
on the responsibility for the areas Product, Product development,
Design, Business Unit Management and Worldwide Sourcing for the PUMA
Retail Business from January 1st, 2008 and take over the position as
Deputy CEO of Martin Gaensler.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PUMA AG: “We are delighted, that Jochen Zeitz will take on the responsibility for the continuous strategic development of the company as Chairman and CEO for the long term. By taking this decision the PUMA Supervisory Board has set the course for a successful collaboration between PUMA and PPR following the goal not only to strengthen but also to further expand PUMAs position as one of the most desirable Sportlifestyle companies.”
Jochen Zeitz was appointed as Chairman and CEO of PUMA AG in 1993 and since then has lead the company through the different phases of the company development: Following Phase I of the restructuring of the company (1993-1997), Phase II with investments into the brand was introduced (1998-2001), followed by Phase III referred to as Momentum (2002-2005). In 2006 Phase IV characterized by company expansion was introduced.