Pedestrians walk past a large Adidas logo inside the German multinational sportswear store.
Miguel Candela | SOUP images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Various press releases allegedly sent from adidas about a launch at Berlin Fashion Week, its treatment of overseas workers and other issues related to its business structure were false, according to the company.
“We are not commenting on these emails/fake pitches,” Claudia Lange, the retailer’s vice president of external communications, said in an email to CNBC.
A false statement said that Vay Ya Nak Phoan, who was described as a former Cambodian factory worker and union leader, had been appointed co-chief executive officer to ensure ethical compliance in manufacturing.
The Yes Men, an activist group that has a history of creating skits to draw attention to how corporations respond to social issues, confirmed to CNBC that it was behind the pitches along with other groups. The groups hope Adidas will sign the Pay Your Workers labor agreement, which advocates for garment workers’ wages and the right to organize.
“In the wake of several scandals, it seems like it would be great for them to turn the page,” said a member of The Yes Men identified as Mike Bonanno.
Two of the fake press releases claimed that Adidas was releasing new clothing called REALITYWEAR from celebrities Pharrell Williams, Bad Bunny and Philllllthy. The fake statement announcing the debut at Berlin Fashion Week on January 16 claimed it was part of a push for a renewed focus on worker rights and material sourcing.
Adidas outlines its stance on worker rights on a dedicated “Workplace Standards” page, detailing its code of conduct for worker health, safety, pay and “responsible sourcing.”
The Guardian first reported that The Yes Men were behind the campaign.
Yes Men’s multi-tiered campaign also referenced the now-ended partnership with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West who has come under fire in recent months for anti-Semitic statements, and included a “response” from the company, providing answers. to the points raised in the first communiqués.
— CNBC’s Gabrielle Fonrouge and Jessica Golden contributed reporting
Source: news.google.com