Industry Disruptor Eric Liedtke: From Sports Fan to Adidas President to Leading Sustainability and Entrepreneurship for Lasting Change

UnderDog

Join Pamela Bardhi, host of the Underdog Podcast, for a compelling conversation with sustainability leader Eric Liedtke. From his early days as a sports enthusiast in Pennsylvania to his influential role as President of Adidas, Eric shares his remarkable career journey. He discusses leading one of the largest brand turnarounds in history and how his passion for sports fueled his innovative approach to leadership and culture change. Now at the helm of Unless Collective, Eric focuses on pioneering plant-based fashion to combat the environmental crisis. His insights into leadership, culture change, and leveraging business for good offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to drive positive change across industries. This episode is packed with practical advice and unique perspectives that resonate far beyond the corporate world.

Eric Liedtke is an American businessman and entrepreneur. From 2006 to 2019, Eric managed one of the most remarkable brand turnarounds in history, significantly boosting Adidas' revenue and profitability. In 2019, he shifted his focus to sustainability, founding Unless Collective, the world's first 100% plant-based apparel company dedicated to regenerative fashion. Eric’s mission is to eliminate plastic pollution by creating compostable clothing from natural materials. With a deep passion for using business as a force for good, inspired by his childhood love of sports and the environment, Eric has continually championed social and environmental causes, driving impactful change through innovative partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

• Humble beginnings: Eric's first role was as a "sweeper," a job entailing various responsibilities across departments. His dedication and diverse experiences at Adidas led him to roles such as Product Line Manager, Head of Brand Marketing for the Americas, and Global Head of Brand Marketing. Ultimately, he became President of the Adidas brand for six years.

• Navigating cultural differences: Eric faced challenges in bridging cultural gaps between Adidas' American and German branches. He aimed to merge their strengths, combining German innovation and engineering with American storytelling and design. This approach aimed to redirect internal competition towards external markets, promoting collaboration. Eric consistently prioritized balancing these dynamics to propel the brand's global success.

• Purpose-driven: Eric highlights the personal and professional challenges of transitioning from a high-profile executive role to a startup, driven by a desire to significantly impact the environment. He reflects on the rewards and difficulties of this journey, emphasizing the fulfillment that comes from pursuing a purpose-driven mission.

• Sustainable fashion: With his brand, Unless Collective, Eric discusses the challenges of creating sustainable fashion, emphasizing the need to move away from petroleum-based materials. He explains the complexities of sourcing plant-based materials and finding eco-friendly manufacturing processes, highlighting the difficulties of working as a startup with limited capital.

Listen in to discover how the unwavering determination of a single individual is laying the foundation for a future that's greener and more sustainable. Don't overlook this captivating narrative of innovation and inspiration!

Listen to this exciting episode. Join us for the conversation! Listen to the full episode here:

• Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underdog/id1534385651
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FbSDu0aNtuxAEiderUAfB
• Website: https://theunderdogshow.com

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Follow and connect with Eric Liedtke:

• Unless Collective: https://unlesscollective.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-liedtke-890130115/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.liedtke/