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Imagine a brand that doesn’t just sell but stands for something real. That’s the power of celebrity partnerships. When brands work with the right icons, they create a feeling of belonging. It’s not about follower counts. It’s about shared values and stories that touch hearts. Look at Nike and Colin Kaepernick. When Nike supported Kaepernick, they stood up for social justice. This was not just an endorsement. It sparked talks about equality and inspired many young people to speak out. Nike didn’t just sell shoes. It joined a movement, inviting people to be part of something bigger. How can you do this for your brand? Seek out voices that speak truth, not just volume. Focus less on endorsements and more on meaningful talks. Be more than a business. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞’𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬.

Today is #InternationalWomensDay, and it’s always a complicated event for brands to navigate. There’s some element of risk for brands to use this day as part of some #marketing trend, but some nail it…and when it’s right, it’s right. I know this Nike “One Day, We Won’t Need This Day” ad is from a few years ago, but they’ve always stuck with me as a brand that truly supports women and that has also mastered the empowerment and celebratory spirit that this day represents. To the rest of you brands out there, be like Nike today. #advertising #branding

BrandoScopy™ of Nike's "Dream Crazier" Campaign Campaign Overview Launched in February 2019 during Oscars, Nike's "Dream Crazier" campaign, part of their iconic "Just Do It" series, focuses on empowering female athletes. Narrated by Serena Williams, the ad spotlights the challenges and achievements of women in sports, aiming to inspire viewers to break barriers and defy societal expectations. Key Messages The central theme is empowerment, with a clear message: women are strong, resilient, and capable of extraordinary feats in sports. It challenges stereotypes and urges female athletes to "dream crazier" and strive beyond traditional limits. Target Audience While the primary audience is young female athletes, the campaign also resonates with a broader audience, including sports fans, parents, and advocates of gender equality. Emotional Appeal The ad evokes a powerful mix of inspiration, motivation, and empathy. Through dynamic visuals and emotional storytelling, it connects deeply with viewers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with relentless determination. Visual and Narrative Style The campaign uses high-energy, emotive visuals of female athletes in action, paired with Serena Williams' compelling narration. This combination effectively contrasts past limitations with current achievements, highlighting both progress and potential. Brand Positioning Nike positions itself as a champion of equality and a forward-thinking brand. The campaign reinforces Nike's role as a supporter of athletes, aligning with the broader social movement towards gender equality in sports. Impact and Reception The campaign has been widely praised for its powerful message and emotional depth. It garnered high engagement on social media, with users sharing personal stories and support. Extensive media coverage further amplified its reach and impact. Strategic Fit "Dream Crazier" aligns seamlessly with Nike's core values of innovation, empowerment, and challenging the status quo. It supports the brand's long-term vision of inclusivity and diversity, solidifying its commitment to these principles. Conclusion Nike's "Dream Crazier" campaign masterfully blends emotional storytelling and dynamic visuals to inspire and empower female athletes. By aligning with the brand's core values and garnering a positive reception, the campaign not only strengthens Nike's brand positioning but also makes a significant social impact. #nike #brand #campaign #brandoscopy

LET'S TALK ABOUT NIKE... (Part 2) 📞 THE CALL The customer service rep that I talked to was very friendly and helpful and was patient with my questions, but also did NOT know all the answers. 🙋🏻♀️ "If an athlete with one leg was buying a pair of shoes, could they buy just one shoe?" 👨💼 "Yes, it's called the Nike One Shoe Bank. Go to Google, type in Nike One Shoe Bank and you'll find the information." 🙋🏻♀️ "Cool. Thank you so much. While I have you on the phone, can I ask you what the asterisk is after the word athlete?" 👨💼 "No one has asked this question before, let me take a look." 👨💼 "I don't know the answer to your question. I'm not sure why it was there." 🔍️🔍️🔍️ After doing some more digging, none of the information is easily accessible and it's very limiting. For example, if I didn't know to google "Nike One Shoe Bank" how would I find the information? And, ultimately, one shoe requests are made over a 1-800 number and requesters don't get to choose their preferred shoe. Meaning, it's not an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY and access isn't fully there. This doesn't mean that Disability Inclusion isn't included at all in Nike's DEI work. They are putting resources towards it in some areas, for sure. And, the marketing looks great. But, it doesn't seem like it's fully landing or resonating in all areas of inclusivity. There can be a lot of positivity in a campaign, but it can also still feel PERFORMATIVE if we're "being a champion" of inclusivity and accessibility, but not following through in providing. What business should I dive into next? Let me know!

As Pride Month wound down last summer, Nike made a bold show of support: “No Pride, No Sport,” the company declared on Instagram. “Beyond the month of June, we want to create a culture of belonging where athletes of all identities can move with pride every day of the year,” the caption read. This year, Nike is taking a different approach. For the first time since 1999, the sportswear giant is not releasing a Pride-themed collection or targeted ad campaign. It also hasn’t recently posted anything LGBTQ themed to its Instagram grid. Nike will instead focus on corporate giving and “offer exclusive programming for employees,” the brand said in a statement. Nike isn’t the only brand that’s gone dark on Pride. Retailers are stocking 7 percent fewer Pride-themed t-shirts compared to last year, and tagged 36 percent fewer beauty products in campaigns tied to the month-long celebration, according to Trendalytics. That doesn’t reflect the full extent of the pullback; Target, for instance, is still selling themed items, but in fewer stores. It has moved some of its rainbow-coloured Pride displays from the entrance to the back of the shop floor. “Even for brands who are doing Pride this year, the merchandise is hard to find … it’s either at the back of the store or you have to dig around their website,” said Rob Smith, founder and CEO of The Phluid Project, a gender-inclusive clothing brand that also advises companies on LGBTQ issues. Read the full story by BoF's Yola Mzizi. https://rb.gy/htzdaa

I'm torn on this issue. Though LGBTQ+ identities should not be used to push the corporate bottom line, the downtick in visibility is unnerving. As a founder of an organization ( The House of Queers ) for LGBTQ+ meetups, I find that members are searching for the pride items that were readily available in the past. It pains me that when pushed to "put their money where their mouths are," corporations roll back products and stop what I deem progress, at least in visibility. Whether it was for corporate gain or not, I see this as a step back, not a step forward, unfortunately... This still sends a message that LGBTQ+ individuals are not worthy of being celebrated. Unfortunately, those in power always decide the bottom line. Should they not still be pushing their LGBTQ+ employees forward and celebrating them during this time? It seems like a turning of public opinion on LGBTQ+ rights - if there is a market for the product, they would have made the products.

Nike's 'This is Us' ad celebrates Turkish women defying traditional gender roles through sports. Encouraging breaking personal barriers, it highlights how through sports reveal inner strength, empowering women to conquer any challenge life presents. When we realize this power, there is nothing we can't go up against in life! Nike #marktecons #marketing #marketingdigital #cgi #cgiads #cgivfx #brands #branding #brandavertising #adsoftheworld #creativeadvertising #strategy #adcampaign #advertising #creativity #brandstrategy #brandads #nike #nikewomenshoes #shoes #AdvertiseWithUs #advertisingagency #explorepage

"You break it, you own it." That's Nike whispering into the zeitgeist with their latest nod to Caitlin Clark's mind-blowing leap into sports lore. This #ad isn't just another flashy shout into the void; it's a smooth, cool acknowledgment of what it means to truly excel and claim your spot at the top. With these six words, Nike initiates a conversation, artfully blending ambition with ownership—a masterclass in brevity and wit. This isn't just marketing; it's storytelling with a purpose. These words echo far beyond the basketball court. They capture a message of empowerment, achievement, and ownership that transcends sports. As someone deeply invested in the intersections of sports, #marketing, and social change -- this moment is not just exhilarating for me but profoundly significant. Caitlin Clark's achievement and Nike's recognition of it through their beautiful ad campaign offer us such a cool window into the evolving dynamics of women's sports and its portrayal in media. It's a rallying cry for athletes everywhere, especially women, to push beyond limits and stake their claim. This message, coming from a global brand like Nike, amplifies the importance of recognizing and celebrating women's achievements in sports. Celebrating Clark's achievement, Nike continues to champion the narrative of breaking barriers, not just in sports, but in society at large. It sets a benchmark for how brands can and should engage with women's sports, recognizing its growing market and societal importance. Caitlin Clark's story, amplified by Nike's campaign, is likely to inspire the next generation of female athletes. It's a pivotal moment that could shift how brands engage with women's sports, signaling a move towards more equitable representation and investment; I'm so thrilled to have been able to witness it. Excited for what's to come in women's sports and the media covering it. #advertising #Nike #media

Emotional connection is number 1 on the list of key marketing strategies, and there's very good reason for that.

Emotion drives creative… A great summary of Nike’s consistent storytelling through emotion: empowerment, overcoming internal and external obstacles, fighting against the odds… it all drives the creative choices and builds on itself to become a powerful iconic storytelling narrative. #storytelling #brandstory #digitalmarketing