Jan Runau | Influence 100
jan-runau

Jan Runau

CCO
adidas
Germany


A committed athlete who has completed an Iron Man triathlon, Runau brings a similar level of dedication to his work for Adidas. In total he has spent more than two decades with the sporting giant, helping the German giant navigate its way to the number two position in the global sporting market, after its blockbuster merger with Reebok in 2006. Runau has held numerous PR roles at Adidas, and now oversees all corporate PR and internal communications for the group and its brands, including Reebok. A journalism graduate, Runau worked at several German newspapers before joining Adidas in 1991.

Can you share a moment in your career that you recognized PR's direct impact on business performance?
To be honest, I would say this is one of the beauties of being in communication. You see the results of your work every day!

What are the industry's biggest challenges and opportunities? 
Biggest opportunity: helping leaders being great communicators. Biggest challenge: information overload.

How do you handle the unexpected?
By trying to stay humble and agile.

How do you relax?
By enjoying sports, culture, family and friends

Book/movie/TV show/podcast that teaches a valuable lesson about PR?
Most recently: The listening leader by Emilio Galli Zugaro

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...
Teaching kids life value through sport