Nike launched a full-scale advertising campaign in Wembley Stadium to celebrate the 93 black men who have shaped English football. The campaign is fittingly called 'And All Who Follow.'
According to Nike, "out of 1,244 footballers who have played for the men's national team, only 93 have been black." To honor these 93 players, Nike teamed up with Wonderhood Studios to "include portraits of the men and perimeter boards displaying their names in the same minute as their order in the sequence of 93 players."
In addition, the And All Who Follow campaign also featured an ad that showed the Viv Anderson in 1978, the first black player, passing the ball to Tyrone Mings, the most recent black player with the tagline "Those who come first pave the way for all who follow."
Inclusive Soccer Campaigns
Nike Highlights the 93 Black Men Who Shaped English Football
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Sports Campaigns - Opportunity to create advertising campaigns that celebrate underrepresented sports figures and promote inclusivity in the sports industry.
2. Representation in Football - Opportunity to highlight the contributions of black players in football and raise awareness about the need for diversity and representation in the sport.
3. Historical Acknowledgment in Sports - Opportunity to recognize and honor the trailblazers in sports history, creating campaigns that pay tribute to their achievements.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Apparel - Opportunity for sports apparel brands to create inclusive marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences and promote their products.
2. Advertising and Marketing - Opportunity for advertising agencies to create campaigns that celebrate diversity and representation in sports, highlighting the importance of inclusivity.
3. Sports Media - Opportunity for sports media platforms to create content that educates audiences about the history of underrepresented athletes and supports the call for equal representation in sports.