Kathryn Hubert’s Post

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.

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 brand identity. Subconsciously, people use brands to express their personalities, values, and lifestyles. The brands they associate with can communicate aspects of their identity to others. Brands often portray a certain image or lifestyle that consumers aspire to. By associating themselves with these brands, individuals may adopt aspects of this identity, striving to become the person they envision themselves to be through their association with the brand. Let’s look at Nike. Nike has launched numerous campaigns focused on empowering women, such as "Dream Crazier" featuring Serena Williams and "Play New" featuring women athletes breaking barriers in sports. By highlighting the achievements and stories of female athletes, Nike identifies with women who pursue their passions, challenge stereotypes, and redefine traditional notions of femininity. The brands you surround yourself with support who you identify as and act as a form of expression. Whether it be the clothes you wear, the coffee you drink or the technology you use. #brandidentity #brandstrategy #brandmanagement

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.

👟🌈 Sneaker Brands Stepping Up for Diversity and Inclusion 🌟👟 From color palettes to sizing options, the sneaker industry is making huge strides towards embracing diversity and inclusion. Brands are recognizing the importance of representing and celebrating all walks of life through their designs and marketing strategies. 🌈 Embracing Diversity: Sneaker brands are expanding their offerings to cater to a wider range of skin tones, body types, and cultural backgrounds. This inclusivity not only reflects the diversity of their customers but also sends a powerful message of acceptance and representation. 👟 Size Inclusivity: Recognizing that one size does not fit all, many sneaker brands are now offering extended sizing options to ensure that everyone can find their perfect fit. This move towards size inclusivity is a game-changer for those who have struggled to find stylish and comfortable sneakers in their size. 💪 Empowering Voices: Sneaker brands are also using their platforms to amplify

Weekend Reads | 20th September As we move into the weekend, here are some engaging reads that explore the intersections of branding, technology, and culture: - The Case for Nike : An exploration of Nike's enduring brand power and cultural influence in the ever-evolving world of sports and streetwear.   https://lnkd.in/gZYGKY_h - The Synthetic Social Network is Coming : AI-powered social networks may soon reshape how we connect. Are we ready for a world where bots replace real interactions?   https://lnkd.in/gUbB-azR - Dating App Delivers the Romance : How Hinge is using storytelling to bring romance back to dating apps, with captivating love stories by Roxane Gay and R.O. Kwon.   https://lnkd.in/gMfzz-8M - 5 Telltale Signs That a Photo Is AI-generated : AI-generated photos are becoming harder to distinguish from real ones—learn the key signs to identify them.   https://lnkd.in/ggSFWCTy - How Brands in India Create Genuinely Inclusive Ads : A deep dive into how Indian brands are setting new standards in inclusive advertising, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.   https://lnkd.in/g9eshY4B #WeekendReads #Branding #AI #Technology #Inclusion #Culture #Marketing

https://ift.tt/JGWjSIU The importance of inclusivity in marketing and product development cannot be overstated. Inclusive design allows businesses to cater to a wide range of customers, increasing their reach and ultimately, their revenue. Companies like Nike, Mattel, and Fenty Beauty have made significant strides in promoting inclusivity through their marketing efforts. Nike's campaign featured diverse athletes, while Mattel launched the gender-neutral doll line 'Creatable World' to allow kids to customize dolls however they want. Fenty Beauty disrupted the cosmetics industry by launching 40 shades of foundation catering to various skin tones. Other organizations, such as Netflix, have also made efforts towards inclusivity by providing audio descriptions for shows and movies, helping provide an inclusive experience for people who cannot see the screen. The key components of inclusion are accessibility, representation, flexibility, and empowerment. Companies should design products and services that cater to a wide range of customers' needs and preferences. Creating a culture of inclusivity within businesses requires commitment from leadership and active participation from all team members. Regularly gathering feedback from employees and addressing concerns related to inclusion and accessibility is crucial. Providing resources in alternative formats, such as Braille or large print, can also improve the client experience. https://ift.tt/x7psoeE? #news #cto #tech

Nike has been hurt in recent years with lower than expected performance. This is partly due to the competitive landscape around their core offering: shoes. Companies like ON, Hoka or even old timers such as Asics have showed up with incredibly attractive producs. On top of this, Nike's investments on D2C have hurt their wholesale distribution business, and they now need to catch up with their errors. Broadly, Nike has been criticized for not being able to sustain the levels of innovation and novelty it once did. Regardless, Nike's key asset is not its shoes, but its Brand. The below story reinforces why that's the case and shows their relentlessness for representing their customers.  Nike has joined forces with the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and has become the official uniform supplier to the team and its Athlete scholarship program. Driven by the belief that sport fosters community and belonging, Nike is using its resources to empower refugees, particularly women and girls (who continue to be underrepresented in sports). This focus on inclusivity taps into a growing market segment – active women – and positions Nike as a champion for equality. Regardless of the motivation behind this decision, it takes courage to decide, as a company, to allocate your resources into something like this. I applaud the company for looking to do something that is not just (likely) good for business, but something that is right for humankind.  Sports are a rescue for so many, and they give people Hope. I couldn't think of a better group of people to give Hope than refugees from all over the world. ( Vídeo by - https://lnkd.in/e4cpcJXt )

It's Nike Now, Who's Next in Sexualizing Women? Nike recently unveiled new designs for women's soccer kits, some of which have drawn criticism for being overly revealing and sexualizing the female athletes. While Nike states they consulted with many professional players on the designs, which are just a few options out of 50 pieces, personally i feel this is more than just a design flaw. This controversy points to a larger issue at play. Too often, we still see practices across industries that reduce women to sexualized symbols and subject them to patriarchal standards of appearance and sexual appeal, rather than focusing on their abilities, skills and performance. When you consider, among others, - The Norwegian women's beach handball team being fined for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms - Gaming companies creating hypersexualized female characters to appeal to male audiences - Certain restaurants requiring female servers to wear revealing uniforms - Some construction companies providing ill-fitting "unisex" safety gear and equipment designed for male bodies. We continue to see how professional women are treated as eye candy rather than skilled professionals. Even in industries like construction, women face sexist assumptions and harassment. From catcalls to exclusion from "old boys' clubs," sexism remains a significant barrier for many women in the trades. Women in any profession deserve access to clothing and equipment that allows them to feel comfortable, confident, and perform at their best. They should not be constrained by objectifying standards that prioritize sex appeal over ability. Let's stop defining women by their sexuality and start recognizing them as capable leaders and contributors, whether on the soccer field, the construction site, or in the boardroom. Representation and respect for women should be the norm, not the exception. It's on all of us to challenge sexist practices and create a more equitable world for women in every industry. Nike's design controversy is just one example of a much larger problem that demands our attention and action. #WomenInSports #GenderEquity #SexismInConstruction #EqualityForAll #EPIC