Tifosi: Getting It ON
Tifosi Sports marketing- and salespeople Khutso Makuwa, Bryan Patterson and Sakhele Nkosi.
Was the expo well organised?
Siphiwe Maseko: From set up everything went well, our setup crew were there to assist on the set up and any changes to be made on the spot were fulfilled swiftly to make sure the display was in order. The Expo started on time and the influx of runners brought the vibe. The organisers made it to manoeuvre the equipment used out of the building, which was a bonus. A great experience overall with more crowds coming from Brazil and India made it worthwhile.
Was it financially worthwhile?
Siphiwe Maseko: The financial aspect of the run matches the brand exposure we were looking for, we didn’t sell anything at our stand but a lot of interest in the brand was shown.
Do you think you’ll do it again?
Siphiwe Maseko: It is a great space to attain the running community we are looking for, it’s a gathering of a large community of runners, we would miss out by not being part of it as a running brand. So, yes definitely, we would do it again.
How many sponsored runners did you have?
Siphiwe Maseko: Gerald Gambino, Chanelle “Gessiegie”, Thulani Sibiya, Charlton Dollie, Dineo Manamela, Sabi Mashigo, Bongani Bilankulu, Mpho Tshesane, Fazel Ally.
Where did they finish?
Siphiwe Maseko: All of them did well, there were no injuries or non-finishers, they all ended at the finish, which was great.
Do you know how many runners wore your brand?
Siphiwe Maseko: We saw a surprisingly large number of different styles of On shoes, unfortunately counting was not a possibility.
How long have you represented the brand in SA?
Siphiwe Maseko: Tifosi Sports has been the distributor of the On brand for the past 7 years.
Do you promote it as a sports brand with a small fashion range, or is it predominantly a fashion brand?
Siphiwe Maseko: It’s a performance sports brand that offers head-to-toe apparel, accessories and footwear for runners and also has a sports-inspired fashion range.
What sports do you target? What types of retailers do you supply?
Siphiwe Maseko: Trail and road running, fitness and everyday movement, tennis, lifestyle.
Can you give any figures to show the growth of the brand in SA?
Siphiwe Maseko: On is globally one of the fastest growing brands. Sales in the EMEA region in 2023 increased by 35%.
What are your goals with the brand for the rest of the year?
Siphiwe Maseko: On expects to achieve a 30% net sales growth rate.
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