For those in marketing, the mega sportswear brand Nike isn’t just about great basketball shoes—no, to branding gurus, it’s the Nike advertising and marketing initiatives that really count.
While Nike’s co-founder and chairman Philip Knight knew exactly what he was doing when he and Bill Bowerman founded the sportswear brand (then called Blue Ribbon Sports) in 1964 and started selling shoes out of a Plymouth Valiant at track meets, it is Nike’s marketing team that gets kudos in my books. From philanthropy to simply great commercials, the Nike advertising and marketing initiatives that have been seen around the world are nothing short of amazing.
Inspiring to anyone with an athletic bone in her body, these Nike advertising campaigns and branding moves prove that the company knows just as much about selling as it does about fantastic footwear.
50 Nike Advertising Initatives
50
Gorgeous Athlete Campaigns
The Nike Women 'Make Yourself' Ads Feature Strong and Sensual Shots
49
Hybrid Sportsvertising
Sports Ads Step Off The Field to Hit a Creative Home Run
48
Suspended Sports Campaigns
The Nike Be Free Ads Get You Ready for Some Spring Rejuvenation
47
Talcum Powder-Tossing in Ads
LeBron James in 'Chalk' for Nike
46
Bike Gang Lookbooks
The Tim Barber Nike Destroyer Catalog Focuses on a Sense of Belonging
45
Inflatable Logo Campaigns
These 'Nike Extreme Swoosh' Ads Market Magnified Experience
44
Statuesque Soccer Ads
The Nike ‘Write the Future' Campaign is Stirring
43
Athletic Art Shows
Nike Teams With INSA for Art Show
42
Epic Sports Ads
The Guy Seese 'Nike' Portfolio Showcases Athletes' Drive and Ambition
41
Men vs. Women Challenge Ads
Nike Fuels Sex Wars With New Campaign
40
Momentous Soccer Moment Ads
The Nike 'Write The Future' Commercial is of Epic Proportions
39
Cartooned Sports Stud Lookbooks
The Nike Sportswear LeBron James Collection is Drawn Together
38
Time-Traveling High-Tops
The 2011 Nike MAG Pays Tribute to the Footwear of Back to the Future II
37
Stop Motion Post-it Commercials
Nike Human Race 10K Sticky Notes
36
Muppetified Basketball
Nike Most Valuable Puppets Campaign is a Slam Dunk
35
Dramatic Sports Commercials
Nike ‘Fate'
34
Seriously Dedicated Sports Ads
Nike 'Basketball Never Stops: LeBron 24/7' Shows True Commitment
33
Extreme Sportvertising
Nike's New Team 6.0 Ads Rumble the Ground
32
Floating Footwear Advergaming
Levitating Nike Air Max Shoes Were Raced Using Users' Breaths
31
Nighttime Running Campaigns
Nike 'Lunar Runs' Encourages Chinese to Jog at Night
30
Parody Sports Virals
Nike Pro Exposes Cristiano Ronaldo, Pokes Fun at Nike
29
Funky NBA Cartoons
Lebron James Ventures into the Cartoon Business with ‘The LeBrons'
28
Questioning Decisions Campaigns
The LeBron James 'Rise' Commercial Addresses Fans' Concerns
27
Pop Star Sports Adverts
Nike: Music Runs Ellie Depicts the Athletic Side of the Singer
26
Star-Studded Schools
The Foot Locker and Nike 'The Educators' Commercial Steps up the Game
25
Badass Baller Movies
'The Black Mamba' Movie Pits Kobe Bryant Against Bruce Willis
24
Recycled Ad Campaigns
The Nike Better World Commercial Uses Only Previously Done Nike Ads
23
Earth-Shattering Shoes
The Nike Shox Ad Campaign Tears up the Ground
22
Inspiring Skater Videos
The Nike SB Zoom Paul Rodriguez 4 Commercial Lifts You Up
21
Puppetized Pro-Athletes
LeBron James Gets Animated For Nike MVPuppets Commercial
20
Endless Jogging Ads
Nike 'Never Stop Running' Campaign Promotes Its Dedication to the Activity
19
Mileage Tracking Apps
The Nike+ GPS App Tracks Challenges You to Run Farther and Longer
18
Epic Athlete Battles
The Nike Free Yourself Throwdown Ad Displays Intense Competition
17
Promotional Gamer Kicks
Nike and EA Come Together for the Nike Manny Pacquiao Fight Night
16
Stealth Paparazzi Ads
Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen Promotes Nike with Paps
15
Extreme Sports Crew Contests
Record Epic Skills for Nike's 'The Chosen' Facebook Campaign
14
Laced Charity Campaigns
The #EndAIDS (Nike) Red Laces Raises Awareness of the Disease
13
Midnight Extreme Sports Ads
The Nike Chosen: Just Do It Commercial Will Amp You Up
12
Sensory Deprivation Shades
Nike Vapor Strobe Eyewear Helps Enhance Senses and Motory Skills
11
Sportswear Soft Serve Trucks
Nike Sportswear Ice Cream Trucks Drives Around Neighborhoods in NYC
10
Epic Soccer Wear Ads
The Nike Soccer Ad Celebrates a New French Team
9
Intense Cricket Showdowns
The Nike Cricket Yards Ad Celebrates the Sport in an Epic Fashion
8
Midnight Wakeboard Sessions
The Nike 6.0 Retention Wakeskate Jam Shows Extreme Water Sports
7
Technicolor Sneaker Ads
The Brad Kremer Nike Hadar Film is an Artistic Dream Sequence
6
Celebratory Soccer Ads
Nike "The Future has Been Written" Commercial Celebrates Spain's Victory
5
Feel-Good Sports Shorts
The Spike Lee Nike Short Film Insists That ‘Everything is Practice'
4
Redemptive Athlete Ads
Tiger Woods Nike Commercial Offers Forgiveness in the Sign of the Swoosh
3
Sports Star Impact Ads
The 'Before and After Ronaldo' Nike Soccer Commercial Charts His Influence
2
Puppetvertising
NBA Champion Kobe Pokes Fun at LeBron in Nike Ad (UPDATE)
1
Branded Athletic Celebrations
Nike Festival of Sports Promotes Athleticism to Shanghai Youths
Related Ideas
25 Movie-Inspired Footwear Designs
From Sith Lord Kicks to Time-Traveling Car Kicks
Romantically Distorted Photography
Barnaby Roper Imbues a Film-Like Quality to His Work
42 Essentials for Runners
From Luminous Track Jackets to Mileage Tracking Apps
Classy Vintage Shades
Rock the Michael Bastian for RE Sunglasses 2011 Collection this Summer
Fierce Feline Footwear
Explode on the Court with the Nike LeBron 9 'Fire Lion' Kicks
Thermo-Molded Sneakers
The Nike Vac Tech Collection Features Stitch-Free Shoes
French-Inspired Fashion
The Nike Sportswear French Football Federation Collection
Remixed 80s Movie Posters
These Alternative Back to the Future Posters are Artistic and Original
Stylish Silhouetted Shades
Ksubi Eyewear 2011 Summer Collection Redefines Cool Sunglasses
Playful Food Sculptures
Carl Kleiner's Cafe M Beirut Series is Deliciously Adorable
Indigo Hoop Kicks
Rule the Court with the Nike Hyperdunk 2011 Blake Griffin LAC PE
Doughboy Skate Kicks
MoCA x Lance Mountain x Nike SB Blazer Celebrates a Successful Partnership
Abstract Sneaker Art
The Visually Impressive Nike + Collab: Paint With Your Feet
University-Inspired Sneakers
Nike Ekiden Collection Pays Homage to Japanese Running Clubs
Luminous Reptile Runners
Slither Your Feet into the 'atmos x adidas' Originals ZX8000
Art Museum Skate Shops
The Nike Bowery Stadium 'The Wave' Exhibit is a Surf and Skate Oasis
Vibrant Vintage Footwear
The Nike Dunk AC Vintage is a Throwback to Oldschool Streetwear
Plastic Model Kit Campaigns
The Tamiya Conspiracy Ads Urges You to "Put It Together"
Air Force Hoop Kicks
Nike LeBron 9 Cannon Brings on a Slick Metallic Look
Spontaneous Dance Lookbooks
The Alexandra Greco Fall 2010 Collection Puts the Fun in Ads
Charcoal Courtside Kicks
The Nike 'LeBron 9' Shoes are Basketball Footwear with Attitude
Vintage 3-D Shades
The Ingri:Dahl James 3D Movie Glasses Give Theater Specs a Designer Flair
Incognito Army Frames
The Trussardi 1911 Sunglasses Will Have You Ready for Battle
Hardcore Shoe Commercials
Rundfunk Media Creates a Metal Mash-Up Ad for Globe's Shoe Line
Romantic Running Shoes
The Nike Valentine's Day 2011 Pack Features Sketched Patterns
Classy Danish Shades
These Han Union Sunglasses Update Vintage European Looks
Drippy Raver Renditions
Peter Tarka Merges Saturated Street Style & Graffiti in His Art
Midnight Jogging Gear
Nike Running Holiday 'Dark' Collection Enhances Visibility for Runners
MC B-Ball Battles
The Adidas All 2012 Advert Counts Down to the London Olympics
Kid Cash Campaigns
The China Poverty Alleviation Ads Show that 'Every Child Can be a President'
Blinding Aqua Kicks
The Nike Air Force 1 Bespoke by Koizumi is a Vibrant Piece of Footwear
Indigo Courtside Kicks
These Nike LeBron 9 Kentucky Wildcats Shoes Pay Homage to the NC
Football Legend Illustrations
Christiano Siqueira's Series of Portraits Expresses Intense Emotion
Exhausted Athletic Editorials
The Twin Magazine 'Anais Anais' Shoot is Sporty and Supine
Two-Toned Wool Coats
The Leather-Wool Hybrid Destroyer Jacket from Nike Sportswear
Sleek Soccer Uniforms
Nike Promotes the New French Football Kit for Soccer Fanatics
Epic Sports Ads
The Eurosport TV Commercials Will Get Your Heart Racing and Your Palms Sweaty
Back to the Future Wear
The Flux Capacitor T-Shirt is a Geek's Dream
Aerial Vacation Ads
The Karnataka Helitourism Campaign Inspires Wanderlust With a Birds-Eye View
Webbed Amber Trainers
The LIVESTRONG Free Xilla Shoes Deliver Comfort & High Performance
Fresh Mesh Footwear
The Nike Zoom Hyperdunk 2011 Scores High In Functionality & Style
Motivating Interactive Campaigns
Saucony's Athletic Ad Campaign Asks Users to Find Their Strength
Sci-Fi Sportswear Ads
The Epically Geektastic Adidas is All In 'Empire Strikes Back Edition'
History-Making Shoe Sets
The Nike Black History Month Pack Pays Homage to Trailblazing Ballers
Pop Art Music Ads
The QuitoFest 2011 Campaign Asks You to Vuelve el Rock (Rock Again)
Luminous Track Jackets
Run and Glow with the Nike Vapor Flash
Eclectic Unisex Sunglasses
The A.OK for Oak Collection Offers Shades for Everyone
Virtual Visit Campaigns
The Lynx Augmented Reality Angels Interactive Ad is Astonishing
Futuristic Lightweight Kicks
The Puma Disc Blaze LTWT Sneaker are Sci-Fi-Chic
Tutu-Loving Tennis Stars
Maria Sharapova for the Cole Haan Spring 2011 Campaign
Tech Parts Workout Posters
Companhia Athletica Asks You to "Switch Your Routine for Ours"
Nighttime Running Campaigns
Nike 'Lunar Runs' Encourages Chinese to Jog at Night
Spiritual Powdered Shoots
Arman Zhenikeyev's Buddha Loves Me Series is Calm and Centered
Sporty Corporate Cafeterias
Nike Canteen by UXUS Enhances Employee Lunch Environments
Stormy Sports Gear
The Nike Running Holiday 2011 'Rain' Collection Keeps Joggers Dry
Illuminating Cleaner Campaigns
The Nevex 2011 Ads' Super-Whitening Action Sheds Light
Pranking Celeb Feuds
New Era "Dog" Commercials Shows the Never Ending Rivalry Between Two Friends
Lost Literary Characters
The Micromax Mobile Ad Campaign Shows You Will Never Go Astray
Violet Safari Sneakers
The Adventurous Nike SB Dunk Low Premium Purple Safari Shoes
Pockmarked Street Shoes
The Nike Air Royal Mid Lite VT is a Breathable High Top
Amped-Up Athletic Ads
Watching the 'Adidas is All in' Campaign Video Will Pump You Up
Chromatic Court Kicks
The Nike Zoom KD IV NERF Edition is a Kaleidoscopic Mosaic
Grayscale Court Kicks
The Ultra Slick Nike Lebron 8 V2 From Lebron James
Split-Personality Spirits Spots
The Jim Beam Willem Dafoe Ad is Artistic and Enticing
Red Hot Championship Kicks
Meet the Nike LeBron 8 PS NBA Finals Sneakers for King James
Badass Baller Movies
'The Black Mamba' Movie Pits Kobe Bryant Against Bruce Willis
Business Betterment Campaigns
The MWEB 2011 Ads Show That Companies Look More Appealing Online
Bright Neon Bombers
The Notone Preheat South Beach Jacket Infuses Vibrant Hues & Old-School Style
Guitar-Slinging Dessert Ads
The Dairy Queen Commercial Parodies the Old Spice Guy
Recycled Ad Campaigns
The Nike Better World Commercial Uses Only Previously Done Nike Ads
Candid Close-Up Catalogs
The aNYthing Holiday 2010 Collection is Perfect for Winter
Crazy Baseball Commercials
SKY PerfecTV Puts a Graphic Spin on Sports
Athletic Projection Promotions
The 'Adidas is All in' Campaign Brings a Light Show to Marseille
Animated Soft Drink Ads
Jerome Masi & Gaetan Boutet Films the Whimsical 'Be Coke' Video
Behemoth Bubble Campaigns
The Solen Crazy Balloon Gum is Imaginatively Fun
Charitable Rose-Colored Glasses
These MYKITA for Japan Franz Sunglasses Aid Japan Relief Efforts
Oversized Beach Viewers
Marc Moser Creates a Giant Pair of Wayfarers with Pink Lenses
Beach-Side Hoop Kicks
Nike LeBron 9 'Miami Nights' Heats Up the Court in Style
Endless Jogging Ads
Nike 'Never Stop Running' Campaign Promotes Its Dedication to the Activity
26 Badass LeBron James Campaigns
These LeBron James Endorsements Will Stun and Shock You
Earthy Designer Shades
These Shwood x Ransom Canby Sunglasses Put Nature and Fashion in Harmony
Aging Customer Campaigns
These Jornal de Londrina Ads Remind You News Grows Old
Redemption-Seeking Campaigns
The Aukok.lt Charity Portal Encourages You to Donate Money
Musical Car Commercials
The Glee Chevy Commercial Will Entertain & Thrill Fans of the Show
Mod Historic Apparel
The Nike Black History Destroyer Jacket is Fierce
Epic Athlete Battles
The Nike Free Yourself Throwdown Ad Displays Intense Competition
Promotional Gamer Kicks
Nike and EA Come Together for the Nike Manny Pacquiao Fight Night
Extreme Sports Crew Contests
Record Epic Skills for Nike's 'The Chosen' Facebook Campaign
Midnight Extreme Sports Ads
The Nike Chosen: Just Do It Commercial Will Amp You Up
Lightweight Runner Kicks
The Nike Lunar Vengeance Terra ACG Eliminates Unecessary Weight
Manly Dairy Commercials
This Mammoth Supply Yogurt Ad Sets Macho Rules for Guys
Sensory Deprivation Shades
Nike Vapor Strobe Eyewear Helps Enhance Senses and Motory Skills
Classy Baller Chronographs
The Hublot Dwayne Wade King Power Watch Pays Tribute to the NBA Champ
Hollywood-Inspired Kicks
Kick Off the Nba All-Star Weekend With the Nike East LA Sneakers
Smeared Stain Poster Campaigns
The No Tankers Campaign by Rethink Canada is Smart
Cruising Rapper Commercials
Imported From Detroit Dr. Dre Ad Gives Chrysler Street Cred
Midnight Wakeboard Sessions
The Nike 6.0 Retention Wakeskate Jam Shows Extreme Water Sports
Technicolor Sneaker Ads
The Brad Kremer Nike Hadar Film is an Artistic Dream Sequence
Sports Culture Documentaries
The Nike 'American Made' Video is a High-Octane Campaign
Racy Cologne Commercials
Frank Miller Brings a Graphic Novel Aesthetic to the Gucci Guilty Ad
Branded Athletic Celebrations
Nike Festival of Sports Promotes Athleticism to Shanghai Youths
Film Flop Generators
The B-Movie Title Generator May Inspire a Career in Movies