Tag Archive for: Nike

Boston-Based Converse Refines Its Legend

When it comes to brand positioning, you could argue that the Converse All Star invented the new-school formula: iconic design, story-filled history, and an ultra-loyal following. With the 100th birthday of the Chuck Taylor All Star looming, Converse boldly announced an addition to its iconic family: the Chuck II.

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Announcements like this often cause PR agencies to hold their breath. Messing with success is one thing, but changing a successful icon is another beast – it challenges the traditional mold of what brand strategy looks like in terms of strategic consistency.

Converse, though, is doing just that and winning at it, with no small thanks to some very integrated PR and advertising. Up until now, Converse has been rather tight-lipped about its updated original, teasing the online world with a simple Roman numeral “II” as part of its upcoming “Ready for More” campaign.

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Now that the secret’s out, Converse has been quick to control the narrative. Recognizing the original Chuck’s success, the Chuck II is not a replacement, the brand is making clear, but rather introduces improvements borrowed from its parent company Nike. Determined to create something great, Converse took nearly four years to collaborate with consumers in order to make their favorite shoe even better.

Converse brand GM Geoff Cottrill said to Adweek, “I’d go so far as to say that the creative world is responsible for who we are today as a brand.” The statement underscores Converse’s understanding of its consumer base, a factor that clearly has informed its PR strategy. Converse’s delicate dance is well-planned, exciting customers ready for a fresh look, while paying homage to the style icon that started it all. By being proactive and strategic with messaging, Converse has introduced a tempting step up, rather than inciting backlash from purists.

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Nike Gets Inside Women’s Heads in New Campaign

In the midst of the “fit revolution,” there is a greater push to exercise more. (Plus, who doesn’t love to wear those incredibly stylish gym-to-everyday outfits!?)

For those of us who actually make it to the gym and put our outfits to good use, we push ourselves in hopes of getting the physical results we yearn for. Sure, the fitness obsession can get a little crazy sometimes, causing women to compare themselves to other athletes, but it also helps us motivate one other. Nike has decided to turn this concept into a campaign. The focus? Women motivating other women.

The campaign’s first commercial is based on the inner dialogue of women while they are exercising. It’s called “Inner Thoughts”, and we have to say it is pretty spot on. It’s all about pushing yourself when you think you’re done; aiming to “just do it”, with results that make you #betterforit.

Like we touched on in our blog post a couple weeks ago, this campaign is on trend with the advertising movement toward specific targeting of the female consumer. According to Business Insider, Nike believes its women’s line could add $2 billon of additional sales by 2017. Hence, Nike recognizes that women’s spending power is huge and is still growing, and women make up a massive portion of its customer base.

How do you think women will respond to the #betterforit campaign? Will the motivation translate to consumer involvement?

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Source: Adweek.com