June 23, 2022

Reporter: Woo Choong-won, OSEN

Nassau Co., Ltd., a leading Korean sports brand, has announced a collaboration with Kakao Friends to launch a new line of co-branded products in the second half of 2022. By integrating Kakao Friends characters into its lineup of sports equipment, Nassau aims to increase its accessibility and appeal, particularly among MZ generation consumers and female customers.

Since its founding in 1971, Nassau has built a solid reputation in Korea’s sports industry. The company became the official match ball provider for the 1986 Asian Games and supplied tennis balls for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. From 1993 onward, Nassau served as the official match ball partner for the Korea Football Association for three decades, solidifying its reputation for product excellence. Now, Nassau is preparing for the future with a focus on sports technology, developing innovations such as its digital football training machine “Dr. Cannon” and eco-friendly sports airdomes.

Kakao Friends remains Korea’s most beloved character brand, consistently ranking first in the annual Character Industry White Paper. Its characters, such as Ryan and Apeach, have become cultural icons, and collaborative products across various industries continue to gain immense popularity. Many companies pursue partnerships with Kakao Friends, and this new collaboration with Nassau is expected to bring fresh energy to the world of recreational sports.

The collaboration represents more than just product development. It seeks to promote sports as a form of everyday enjoyment by integrating playful design into fitness gear. As Korea enters the endemic era and public interest in health and wellness continues to grow, Nassau also plans to roll out a nationwide campaign encouraging people to exercise with Kakao Friends as friendly motivators.

Jeong Ui-seok, CEO of Nassau and head of its brand marketing division, expressed gratitude to Kakao for their support, stating,

“We are truly thankful to Kakao for making this collaboration possible. Nassau is currently restructuring its business with a focus on brand-centered innovation. This partnership with Kakao Friends marks an exciting new beginning and reaffirms Nassau’s identity as a sports brand that connects with people’s everyday lives.”

He added,

“We’re confident that this collaboration will spark interest among new generations of consumers and help us deliver a message that sports can be both accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”