Creative and media agency McKinney has been selected by global sports company Puma as its global agency of record for all strategy and creative work across the Puma Run/Train business unit.
The heritage footwear and apparel brand works with top track athletes, including Usain Bolt, Ristananna Tracey and Asafa Powell. With the re-launch of Puma Running in 2021, including the completely redesigned line of Nitro running shoes, McKinney has an opportunity to cement Puma as a top shoe brand for a new generation of runners worldwide.
The opportunity was brought to McKinney by search consultant Pile and Company. McKinney participated in a competitive pitch process that lasted several months. Ultimately, McKinney won the business based on its ability to develop creative ideas, coupled with its expertise in the category for brands including Columbia, Skechers, Shoe Show and Crocs. McKinney’s team has plenty of runners who were able to road test the shoes during the pitch process and get a greater understanding of the brand.
“Partnering with an iconic brand that has the ability to empower the next generation of runners is going to be very rewarding,” said Joe Maglio, CEO of McKinney in a statement. “Over the years, Puma has shaped the culture around sport and they have been instrumental in driving social change in the space. We’re excited to partner with them.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Puma as global company spent $37 million in North America in 2022, according to COMvergence.
This is the latest win for McKinney, which also recently added Popeyes after the brand announced it was moving on from Gut. The agency also won Blue Diamond Almonds in 2022 and acquired influencer agency August United in January.