Nike Canada completes '25 and 25' store expansion project
Nathan Balmes, visual merchandising lead for Nike Store Partners Canada announced through the Nike's official LinkedIn page that the project was managed by a "small but mighty team" responsible for the planning and management of the entire country. The company described the project as a "bold move that defines Nike."
Each new store opening was seen as an opportunity to connect with local communities and create "premium brand experiences." Adri Colavecchia, senior manager, Nike Store Partners Canada, stated that the team's role is to ensure the brand comes to life "in an uncompromised and premium, pinnacle way in all stores across Canada." She highlighted Canada's multicultural nature, calling it "an amazing mosaic of diverse nationalities."
The company is now actively recruiting to support its ongoing initiatives.
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Telegraph
12 hours ago
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How Trump killed off woke ads
When Nike picked Colin Kaepernick to front its new campaign in 2018, it marked the high water mark for social justice advertising. Kaepernick, the former NFL star who began taking the knee in protest against racial injustice, was out of work and had accused the NFL of blacklisting him for his political protests on the field. Nike ran posters saying: 'Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.' At the time, brands were racing to hitch their wagons to causes and crusades as 'purpose-driven' marketing took over adland. Seven years on, the backdrop could hardly be more different. 'Woke' adverts are fading from relevance in the US. Instead, an all-American, red-blooded spirit has taken hold – aimed squarely at the tastes of one Republican man. Donald Trump this week proclaimed that actor Sydney Sweeney had the ' hottest' advert in the world as he waded into a row over The White Lotus actor's new campaign for fashion brand American Eagle. Sweeney's statement that she had 'good jeans' has become a culture war flashpoint. It hasn't mattered – Sweeney's endorsement has helped American Eagle's stock soar, with Trump's comments only fuelling the rally. Nike, meanwhile, appears to have swapped advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement for a more conservative campaign promoting family values with golfer Scottie Scheffler. The growing reluctance of brands to take a campaigning stance on social justice issues comes as consumers tire of virtue-signalling and empty slogans. 'Advertising's role is not really to lead culture, but to reflect it,' says Richard Pinder, chief executive of creative agency The Hunger. 'And so as culture moves, it's kind of weird if advertising doesn't.' The most obvious signs of this culture shift has been the swing to the Right in the US that powered Trump to the White House. Yet the president is not just a reflection of culture, but a shaper of it too. Earlier this year, the president signed a string of executive orders clamping down on 'radical and wasteful' diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. A number of major US companies – including Google, Amazon, Walmart and McDonald's – have rolled back their initiatives as a result. Trump has also taken aim at Jaguar following what he called a 'woke' marketing campaign that featured an eclectic cast of diverse models and a Barbie-pink aesthetic. 'Who wants to buy a Jaguar after looking at that disgraceful ad,' he fumed on Truth Social. The Sydney Sweeney controversy began after American Eagle released a new campaign that featured an image of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actor dressed all in denim, accompanied by the slogan: 'Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.' The advert triggered discussions about beauty standards and even accusations that the company was promoting eugenics. American Eagle has insisted the ad 'is and always was about the jeans', adding: 'Great jeans look good on everyone.' The controversy appears to have done little to perturb Americans, suggesting the ad did not run counter to wider public opinion. Research by Kantar and industry magazine The Drum showed the majority of US consumers would still buy from American Eagle after the saga. Meanwhile, shares in the retailer surged 24pc following Trump's intervention – their biggest daily gain in 25 years. Whilst the US is leading the backlash against woke ads, there are signs that Britain is starting to follow suit. Many in London's adland acknowledge that Britons are growing tired of advertising campaigns that put virtue-signalling do-goodery and tokenism ahead of authentic messages. 'Audiences don't respect the companies that are jumping on a 'brand-wagon' and are fatigued by superficial virtue-signalling and generic manifestos,' says Ajaz Ahmed, founder of ad agency AKQA. 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Nike drops new ad to celebrate 'history-making' Shedeur Sanders debut as NFL fans go wild for new star
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College football is so close, I can almost feel the cool fall breeze in the air (not really, it's 108 here in Texas). Not that you need anymore reason to get excited for football, but Fanatics and Nike teamed up to bring us an NCAA Natural fan gear line. The line showcases a sleek look that supports 21 different NCAA teams, including several all black prints. Whether you're hoping for an Ohio State National Championship repeat, or looking for some redemption for the CFP snub of Alabama, this new line of gear will keep you looking good all season long.
