44 min
Episode 18: How Reebok Is Using Signals From Other Industries To Innovate & Transform It’s Products Disruptive Innovation Podcast (D.I.P.)
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- Entrepreneurship
Karen Korellis Reuther, is VP Creative Design & Futures at Reebok . A woman pioneer in the male-dominated world of industrial design, she spent the formative years of her career working in the Boston high tech sector with early disrupters Digital Equipment Corp & Wang Labs, where she was the first woman to ever be awarded a design patent. After a successful stint as an entrepreneur consulting for clients including Blaupunkt, Braun, Miehle & other iconic European design-centric brands, she spent 12 years as Creative Designer at Nike, and after an interim career step, joined Reebok 19 months ago.
The Reebok brand has a history of innovation. It’s predecessor company, JW Foster, was founded by a British teenager. He literally created the first spiked running shoe, which was used by the British Olympics team‘s 100 meter world champion sprinter Harold Abrahams to win the gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics. This moment was immortalized in the Academy Award winning film, “Chariots of Fire”. The Reebok Freestyle, introduced in 1982, was the first athletic shoe designed specifically for woman. It symbolized the huge aerobics craze, becoming one of the most successful athletic shoes of all time. The Reebok Pump was another noteworthy Reebok innovation when introduced in 1989. Over 100 professional athletes wore the shoe at its peak. Curently, Reebok is the official footwear and apparel sponsor for CrossFit, and the Spartan Race. It’s also increased its presence in yoga and dance in recent years.
Today, in addition to its long-standing focus on superior athletic performance, the brand is also heavily focused on sustainability. Their first breakthrough product, the “Cotton+Corn” lifestyle shoe, remains a major seller 4 years after launch, a rarity in the lifestyle category. It also won an award from PETA. Recently, Reebok introduced the Floatride Forever GROW performance athletic shoe. 6 years in development, working closely with partners to create new materials, the shoe is made of 75% plant-based material. The company is highly committed to producing 100% biodegradable shoes. They’re also committed to climate friendly apparel materials.
Karen Korellis Reuther, is VP Creative Design & Futures at Reebok . A woman pioneer in the male-dominated world of industrial design, she spent the formative years of her career working in the Boston high tech sector with early disrupters Digital Equipment Corp & Wang Labs, where she was the first woman to ever be awarded a design patent. After a successful stint as an entrepreneur consulting for clients including Blaupunkt, Braun, Miehle & other iconic European design-centric brands, she spent 12 years as Creative Designer at Nike, and after an interim career step, joined Reebok 19 months ago.
The Reebok brand has a history of innovation. It’s predecessor company, JW Foster, was founded by a British teenager. He literally created the first spiked running shoe, which was used by the British Olympics team‘s 100 meter world champion sprinter Harold Abrahams to win the gold medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics. This moment was immortalized in the Academy Award winning film, “Chariots of Fire”. The Reebok Freestyle, introduced in 1982, was the first athletic shoe designed specifically for woman. It symbolized the huge aerobics craze, becoming one of the most successful athletic shoes of all time. The Reebok Pump was another noteworthy Reebok innovation when introduced in 1989. Over 100 professional athletes wore the shoe at its peak. Curently, Reebok is the official footwear and apparel sponsor for CrossFit, and the Spartan Race. It’s also increased its presence in yoga and dance in recent years.
Today, in addition to its long-standing focus on superior athletic performance, the brand is also heavily focused on sustainability. Their first breakthrough product, the “Cotton+Corn” lifestyle shoe, remains a major seller 4 years after launch, a rarity in the lifestyle category. It also won an award from PETA. Recently, Reebok introduced the Floatride Forever GROW performance athletic shoe. 6 years in development, working closely with partners to create new materials, the shoe is made of 75% plant-based material. The company is highly committed to producing 100% biodegradable shoes. They’re also committed to climate friendly apparel materials.
44 min