CARLSBAD, Calif. (July 12, 2010) – In its relentless pursuit to find the best employee to work for the company, adidas Golf is turning up the heat on Steve Olsen (Wisconsin) and Chris Dukeminier (Portland). Both are competing for the right to be named the company’s next social media catalyst through its Wear in the World program: a globetrotting golf adventure and interview process spanning 50 days and nine countries.

With the German and Norwegian stops behind them, Olsen and Dukeminier will go head-to-head in a series of challenges selected by consumers this week in Scotland, the site of this week’s Open Championship in what promises to be the most intense phase of the program to date.

“The first two legs of this unprecedented job interview and golf adventure were an opportunity for Chris and Steve to get their feet wet,” said Harry Arnett. “The pre-season is over and the training wheels are now coming off. Working at adidas Golf is a dream job and we want these applicants to be stretched outside of their comfort zones and demonstrate to us how bad they want this position. We thought there was not a more authentic location to flip the switch on the program than here in Scotland the birthplace of golf.”

Unlike previous challenges that were ordained by adidas Golf, challenges going forward will be dictated by consumers who can submit ideas to the adidas Golf Wear in the World website. By submitting challenge ideas, consumers will also be entered to win various TaylorMade adidas Golf prizes.

“This new format truly taps into the spirit of social media as it allows consumers to fully engage the adventurers and feel like they shaping the format of the program,” added Arnett.

Dukeminier and Olsen began their quest June 26 in Herzogenaurach, Germany at adidas’ global headquarters where they played golf with PGA Tour superstars Sergio Garcia and Retief Goosen, ziplined through the famed Olympic Stadium and learned firsthand what it means to be a “die hard” sports fan as they celebrated in the streets with the Germans as their beloved national team notched multiple World Cup victories.

The applicants will return to the United States where the journey will culminate with a finale planned at the Old MacDonald course at Bandon Dunes, Oregon the week of August 10. Before their return, the Wear in the World adventure will also take them to:

July 10 – Scotland

July 16 – Dubai, UAE

July 21 – Thailand

July 26 – South Korea

July 31 – Japan

August 5 – Canada

August 10 – Oregon

During their trips, Olsen and Dukeminier will be tasked with creating compelling content through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media channels highlighting their adventures and building loyal followers during their trip. In addition to golf outings with adidas Golf's PGA, European and Asian Tour Professionals, the finalists will also sightsee and experience the various local cultures and activities. They will be accompanied by an adidas Golf employee based out of the South Africa office, Aaron Russell, who will "host" the competition and ensure seamless travel between locations. A small camera crew will document the entire trip and feed it back to: www.adidasgolf.com/wearintheworld.

Two months ago, adidas Golf partnered with Yahoo! HotJobs, a leading online resource for job seekers and recruiters, to open up a search for two candidates who would participate in a head-to-head showdown for a chance to work at the company. After more than 1.1 million searches for this unique position, countless hours of sifting through resumes, and difficult internal decisions, adidas Golf selected Olsen and Dukeminier to compete for the position. During this ultimate trip, they will also prove that adidas Golf apparel powered by COOLMAX® Extreme performance fabric, and its industry-leading footwear, would stand up against the world's most extreme golf conditions allowing golfers to perform at their best regardless of what mother nature throws at them.

The main sponsor for "Wear in the World Adventure²" is COOLMAX® fabric.

About COOLMAX®: adidas Golf apparel features COOLMAX® Extreme performance fabric. COOLMAX® fabric is engineered to maximize performance, with scientifically designed microfibers improving airflow to the skin to reduce a golfer's temperature. In addition, its highly breathable and durable construction wicks moisture away from the skin for quick evaporation and fast drying, and its mesh ventilation is strategically positioned in critical heat zones for maximum temperature control and comfort. "We always welcome the challenge to put COOLMAX® EXTREME Performance fabrics to the test and we are delighted to be part of this new and exciting journey with adidas Golf apparel," says Julien Born, INVISTA apparel's global segment director for Activewear and Outdoor Apparel. "A long journey across several continents and  under harsh weather conditions is a great format to demonstrate one of the key characteristics of COOLMAX® EXTREME Performance fabrics made of engineered fibers with micro channel cross sections:  long-lasting moisture management that cannot be washed off."