Nike + Apple I-Pod + Running = Brillant

Nike and Apple have joined together to create the ultimate running experience. the new website ‘nikeplus.com’ offers athletes the experience of relating to other runners through out the world.

“Nikeplus.com is fast becoming the world’s biggest online running community,” said Trevor Edwards, Nike’s chief marketing officer. “Nike+ is a new running experience, a new way to train, a new way to connect with other runners, and a new way to bring music and sport together like never before. A million miles in 10 weeks is just the beginning. We’re looking forward to the billionth mile.” (www.nike.com)

“Announced in May by Nike and Apple at a global media event in New York, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit is a wireless system that allows Nike+ enabled footwear to talk with your iPod® nano, connecting you to the ultimate personal running and workout experience. Data on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on your nano and is easily downloaded through iTunes to nikeplus.com, a personal service site where runners can track their own progress and challenge other runners.”(www.nike.com)

This concept is appealing to runners throughout the world. It is also a huge stepping stone for the growing American. This could potentially motivate people to run more and decrease obesity in America.

Nike Want Global Soccer Dominance

On November 2nd, Nike brand President Charlie Denson announced Nike will lead an aggresive growth strategy in global soccer. The main goal is to achieve clear brand dominace by 2010, the next world cup in South Africa.

“Our goal is simple: to be unquestionably the No. 1 brand in the world’s No. 1 sport,” Denson said. “In a little over a decade, we’ve built Nike football from nothing to a $1.5 billion business that saw 20 percent growth last year. Now we’re ready to separate from the pack and create competitive distance with our next phase of growth. We have the game’s best products, used by many of football’s best teams and players, and Nike is the brand today that young people who love beautiful football are growing up with. Everywhere in the world, we intend Nike to be the brand consumers think of when they think football.” (nikebiz.com)

Nike is currently sponsoring many soccer clubs throughout the world. They have also managed to sponsor some of the worlds most exclusive soccer player such as Ronaldinho. Nike soccer has only been around for little over a decade and the growth so far has been phenomenal. I think with this strategy Nike will defintely dominate the soccer market world-wide.

Will The Next Micheal Jordan Please Stand Up

Reebok has Allen Iverson. Adidas has Tracy McGrady. Nike has Vince Carter and LeBron James. However, will any of these athletes come close to being the next Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan has been an absolute goldmine for Nike. In 1984, Jordan signed a five-year contract with Nike for a mere $2.5 million dollars. The ‘Air Jordan’ shoe was the turning point for Nike. During the early 1980s, Nike was struggling to take control of the sports shoe market. It was anyone’s market; but the ‘Air Jordan’ quickly made it Nike’s market.

Nike has picked LeBron James to be its next Jordan. The $90 million dollar high school star has still yet to prove his true worth to the Nike label. However, if LeBron can develop himself as a true individual the fame and fortune should come hand in hand.

I do have a criticism of LeBron James. He is obviously a phenomenal talent, but in order to be as great as Jordan he has to differentiate himself in the market. By using the same number as Jordan ‘23’ I feel he is following footsteps rather than making his own.

I think LeBron James should want to be LeBron James. What makes any player special is what he or she does differently from the rest.

The fact is that there is only one Michael Jordan. Although, Nike is desperately searching for the next Jordan, maybe they should rethink what they are looking for. Instead of searching for something that has already been great, they should look for the something that makes a real difference.