Nike has been on a collaboration winning streak since the 1990’s..
Nike has partnered with a variety of brands, artists, and influencers to reach audiences outside their typical customer base. This strategy has helped Nike grow into the most popular sports brands in the world. In recent years, Nike co-marketing efforts have fueled their tremendous growth across multiple sectors, including health, music, and more.
How Nike's Brand Partnerships Have Fueled Growth
Nike’s brand collaborations have allowed them to reach audiences they wouldn’t have been able to reach on their own. Some of Nike's most notable brand partnerships have included companies such as Apple, Beats by Dre, and CLOT.
Nike's 2006 collaboration with Apple skyrocketed its relevancy. This partnership led to the creation of the Nike+ Run Club App, which helped Nike become a leader in the digital fitness space. In 2013, Nike's partnership with Beats by Dre helped Nike move into the music sphere and get in front of people who use their sportswear as a symbol of culture.
Nike’s brand collabs help them to break into different spheres of influence and maintain relevancy as a legacy sports brand. They also help Nike build a reputation as a company that produces high-quality products and cares about customer’ needs.
Supreme x Nike
Supreme x Nike is one of the most famous collaborations in existence. The brands started working together in the 1990s, and since then, they’ve teamed up several times to create many diverse lines of clothing, shoes, and accessories. The collections are always met with overwhelming demand, with many items selling out within minutes of being made available online.
Jaquemas x Nike
Jaquemas is a young, up-and-coming French fashion designer whose innovative designs have won him critical acclaim. His collection for Nike was inspired by the minimalist chic lifestyle that more and more Europeans are embracing. The collection includes athletic apparel and footwear in Jaquemas' style for both women and men.
Jaquemas' collection for Nike is a great example of how the company uses brand partnerships to tap into new markets and grow its business. By partnering with Jaquemas, Nike was able to reach a new customer base of high fashion consumers .
Apple & Nike
Apple and Nike’s first collaboration was in 2006, when Nike released the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. The kit allowed users to track their runs with the iPod Nano and receive feedback on their performance.
This partnership has allowed Nike to reach new customers through Apple's vast ecosystem, while it gave Apple a new purpose for their technology.
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit was just the beginning of their partnership. In 2010, the Brands released the Nike+ FuelBand, and in 2016, they launched the Nike+ app for iPhone and iPad.
The Nike+ app is a fitness app that allows users to track their runs, set goals, and compare their progress with friends. It also integrates with the Nike+ FuelBand to provide a complete picture of users’ fitness activity.
CLOT & Nike
Around the same time that Nike started working with Apple, they also partnered with CLOT, a cult streetwear brand from Hong Kong. Together they bridged the gap between Eastern and Western fashion by releasing a special edition Nike Air Max 1. The shoe featured a unique red and white colorway and was inspired by Chinese acupuncture and acupressure practices,.
Nike x Ben & Jerry's
In 2020, Nike used brand collaborations to break into the food industry. They partnered with Ben & Jerry's to create a special edition sneaker called the "Chunky Dunky." The design and color pallet was inspired by the ever-popular Chunky Monkey Ben & Jerry's flavor. By partnering with Ben & Jerry's, Nike was able to create a bold and unique product that combined two of America's favorite brands.
Conclusion
Nike's use of brand partnerships has been essential to their exponential growth and success. By partnering with other brands, Nike has surprised its loyal customer base with unique new products, reached new audiences, and driven innovation in multiple markets.
FAQs
Nike's brand collaborations have allowed them to reach audiences they wouldn't have been able to reach on their own. Some of Nike's most notable brand partnerships have included companies such as Apple, Beats by Dre, and CLOT. Nike's 2006 collaboration with Apple skyrocketed its relevancy.
What impact has Nike's partnership with athletes and celebrities had on its brand image and sales? ›
Nike's strategic partnerships with athletes and celebrities have played a crucial role in the brand's marketing efforts. Through collaborations with icons such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Nike has cemented its association with success and high performance.
How do you collaborate with brands like Nike? ›
How to land a sponsored collaboration with Nike
- Step 1: Find out if you qualify to work with a brand like Nike. ...
- Step 2: Find out how Nike works with influencers and creators. ...
- Step 3: Dig up the right contact at Nike marketing department. ...
- Step 4: Craft a perfect email and send your Media Kit to Nike.
By engaging with its audience, Nike fosters a deeper connection and builds loyalty. The brand often encourages its followers to share their own stories and experiences, using hashtags (such as #nikefc, #nikewomen, and #justdoit) and other tactics to spark conversations and create a sense of community.
How does Nike promote their brand? ›
Nike has used social media to connect with its customers and build brand loyalty. The company has a strong presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where it shares content related to its products, athletes, and events.
How important is Nike's use of celebrity endorsem*nts to its success? ›
It captured the zeitgeist and became synonymous with the pursuit of personal goals and achievements. Celebrity Endorsem*nts: Nike strategically leveraged the influence of athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams, who embodied the essence of the "Just Do It" mentality, amplifying the campaign's impact.
What is Nike's biggest collaboration? ›
Supreme x Nike is one of the most famous collaborations in existence. The brands started working together in the 1990s, and since then, they've teamed up several times to create many diverse lines of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Why does Nike collaborate with athletes? ›
Marketing Strategy: Nike has a reputation for investing heavily in its marketing campaigns, including athlete endorsem*nts, and has been doing so for a longer time. This has enabled Nike to build a strong brand image and establish long-term relationships with athletes who have become synonymous with the brand.
How many partnerships does Nike have? ›
We have more than 30,000 worldwide employees. We have a dozen brands that serve more than 30 major sports and consumer lifestyles. We work with 600+ factory partners.
Why does Nike collaborate? ›
Nike isn't afraid to explore collaborations with athletes, designers, or artists, resulting in innovative products and campaigns. Using a collaborative approach with different individuals and brands across different fields has allowed them to stay ahead of the curve and be relevant to their consumers.
Nike's promotion strategy is focused on creating strong, emotional connections with their customers through advertising, sponsorships, and events. They use a variety of marketing channels, such as television, social media, and influencer marketing, to reach their target audience and build brand awareness.
How does Nike increase brand awareness? ›
Developing a strong brand identity and brand image. Utilizing celebrity endorsem*nts and sponsorships to enhance brand credibility. Implementing innovative marketing campaigns to create emotional connections with consumers. Embracing digital marketing platforms to reach a wider audience and engage with customers.
How does Nike promote social change? ›
collaboration – Nike acknowledges that they will be able to affect real change only by working with others, so they've partnered with other companies to improve conditions in their shared supply chain through the International Labour Organization's Better Work program, and to build GreenXchange, a digital platform that ...
How does Nike promote brand loyalty? ›
Nike uses AI-powered predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs and behavior, allowing the brand to engage with members and offer relevant promotions and incentives. Intelligent algorithms accumulate user information through apps, including Nike Sneakers, Nike Training Club, and the Nike app.
What are 5 facts about Nike? ›
that you probably did not know:
- Nike's Slogan Originated From a Convicted Killer. ...
- Footwear Revenues Account for 64% of Total Revenues. ...
- The Nike Swoosh Was Designed for $35. ...
- Revenues from “Men's Training” are nearly double that of “Women's Training” ...
- Nike Owns Converse and Hurley International.
The Nike mission statement is “to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.” If we break this statement down, it is easy to see that the company's mission has three core components: bringing inspiration, creating innovation, and supporting every athlete in the world.
How does Nike impact athletes? ›
Impact on Sports Culture: Nike's influence on sports culture cannot be overstated. Their iconic "Just Do It" slogan has become a rallying cry for athletes and everyday individuals alike, encouraging them to push their limits and overcome obstacles.
What is the effect of celebrity endorsem*nt on brand image? ›
Traditional explanations of celebrity endorsem*nt persuasion effects are based on the source effects literature and find that 1) celebrity endorsem*nt increases the attention paid to an ad (Buttle, Raymond, and Danziger 2000); 2) celebrities are generally attractive, which helps persuasion when consumers are worried ...
Why does Nike partner with athletes? ›
Understand What Nike's Sponsorships Are Really For
Ultimately, the purpose of the brand's sponsorship scheme is to sell more products. Nike likes approaching athletes who are not only doing extremely well in their respective games but also has a great following.
