Latest news with #AmyMontagne
Fashion Value Chain
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
The Swoosh in the Saree: How Nike's Women's Push Resonates in India
By Shweta Sheth – Post Graduate Academic Scholar. Department of Fashion Management Studies, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textiles Govt of India, Daman campus Nike, the global titan of sportswear, has always been synonymous with athletic prowess and a relentless pursuit of greatness. From Michael Jordan's gravity-defying dunks to Serena Williams's dominant serves, the 'Just Do It' ethos has inspired millions worldwide. But as the brand steps into a new era, marked by a revamped leadership team under brand president Amy Montagne and the powerful face of A'ja Wilson, its commitment to women is taking center stage. In India, a nation where sports are increasingly embraced by women, this evolution is particularly significant, promising to redraw the lines of athletic aspiration. India, with its vibrant cultural tapestry and a burgeoning young population, presents a unique landscape for a brand like Nike. For years, cricket has reigned supreme, often overshadowing other sports and limiting visibility for female athletes. However, a silent revolution has been brewing. From the boxing ring with Mary Kom to the badminton court with PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, Indian women are making their mark on the global sporting arena, inspiring a generation to embrace physical activity. Nike's journey in India hasn't been without its hurdles. Early on, the brand faced challenges in connecting with the price-sensitive Indian consumer and adapting its global strategies to local nuances. While they made significant investments in cricket sponsorships, the broader appeal often remained elusive. Yet, in recent years, a more nuanced and impactful approach has emerged, especially concerning women's sports. Campaigns like 'Da Da Ding,' featuring a powerful squad of everyday female athletes, resonated deeply, driving app downloads and increasing participation in Nike Run Clubs. This demonstrated a crucial understanding: to truly connect with the Indian woman, the brand needed to celebrate her journey, her struggles, and her triumphs, not just the elite athlete. Enter Amy Montagne, Nike's President, who brings two decades of experience within the company, including a crucial stint as VP/GM Global Women's. Her promotion signals a clear strategic pivot, aiming to serve consumers across all sports and accelerate growth, with women's initiatives at the core. This renewed focus on women is not merely about product; it's about shifting the narrative, dismantling stereotypes, and creating a truly inclusive sporting environment. The recent campaigns featuring A'ja Wilson, the WNBA superstar, are a prime example of this bold new direction. Wilson embodies strength, unapologetic ambition, and a fierce dedication to her craft. Her presence, alongside other powerful female athletes like Caitlin Clark and Sha'Carri Richardson, in campaigns like 'So Win,' resonates with a message that transcends sport: it's okay to want to win, to be the best, and to demand your space. This sharper, bolder marketing appeal, less about feel-good clichés and more about the raw passion for victory, is a refreshing change. For the Indian market, this narrative holds immense power. Indian women often navigate societal expectations and traditional roles, making their foray into sports a testament to their resilience and determination. When Nike champions athletes like A'ja Wilson, who defy limitations and own their power, it sends a powerful message to every aspiring female athlete in India: your dreams are valid, your ambitions are worth pursuing, and you too can break barriers. The impact of such campaigns is not just about selling shoes; it's about fostering a cultural shift. By showcasing diverse female athletes who embody grit and determination, Nike is helping to normalize and celebrate women's participation in sports. This, in turn, can inspire more young girls in India to pick up a bat, kick a ball, or lace up their running shoes, knowing that a global brand stands with them. Nike's evolution, with its revamped leadership and powerful storytelling, is a testament to its understanding that the future of sport is undeniably female. In India, where the potential for women's sports is immense, this commitment from a brand as influential as Nike could be the catalyst for a truly transformative era, one where the swoosh becomes a symbol of empowerment for every Indian woman who dares to 'Just Do It.'
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Nike Makes Leadership Changes As Sales Fall And Controversies Continue
"I strongly believe Nike's path to sustainable, profitable growth will be through sport,' said Nike ... More CEO Eliott Hill. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images) Nike CEO Elliott Hill just announced major leadership changes after little more than six months on the job. He's replaced Nike president Heidi O'Neill with another Nike veteran, Amy Montagne, who previously headed up Nike Women. O'Neill assumed the role of president, consumer, product and brand in 2023 and has now decided to retire after 26 years with the company. Hill also split the president's responsibilities across functions, giving him more direct oversight of critical product development, marketing and growth initiatives with new leaders reporting directly to him. 'I'm confident that with this new structure and leadership team in place we will be able to better line up and leverage all the advantages that make Nike great,' Hill said in a statement. He and Nike need the help. In the first full quarter under Hill's new 'Win Now' strategic plan, revenues continued to fall, down 9% to $11.3 billion in third quarter. Nike stock is trading nearly 30% off levels since Hill joined. And the brand continues to be plagued by controversies, likely not of his making but that still require him to cleanup the mess. Nike's new 'Win Now' strategy focuses on five key initiatives: Hill quickly realized that leadership changes were needed to get Nike back to winning. Among the shifts are promoting Phil McCartney from vice president of footwear to chief innovation, design and product officer overseeing Nike, Jordan and Converse product development. Nicole Graham is moving from chief marketing officer to executive vice president and CMO overseeing Nike. She will be responsible for enhanced brand storytelling. And 45-year company veteran, Dr. Tom Clark, with a Ph.D. in biomechanics and previously a strategic advisor to the CEO, will take on the new role of chief growth initiatives officer. All will report directly to Hill. However, the most consequential change is promoting Montagne to president. She will be responsible to lead across the consumer and sports functions. Having been promoted from heading up the women's group, Montagne's new position suggests that growing the women's business is a corporate priority. In 2023, women made up about 40% of Nike customers, yet in 2024, women's generated only $8.5 billion in revenues compared to $20.9 billion in men's. Nike has a poor track record when it comes to its female athletes, going back to 2019 when Olympic track gold medalist and long-time Nike-sponsored athlete Allyson Felix penned a New York Times op-ed claiming Nike penalized her for becoming pregnant. This was followed shortly by another New York Times op-ed by teenage track star Mary Cain speaking out about taunting abuse she suffered as part of Nike's Oregon Project. Other prominent female athletes have also abandoned the brand, including gymnast Simone Biles, steeplechase Olympian Colleen Quigley, tennis star Sloane Stephens and runners Alysia Montaño, Kara Goucher, Phoebe Wright and Lauren Fleshman. More recently, there are questions surrounding Nike's treatment of WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. The company prioritized the introduction of fellow WNBA star A'ja Wilson's signature shoe over the release of the potentially even bigger Clark sneaker, though Clark has publicly expressed no dissatisfaction with her Nike sponsorship. 'Nike is still ignoring Caitlin Clark and destroying shareholder value,' wrote sports podcaster Ethan Strauss under his House of Strauss handle. 'They won't sell Clark, at least just yet. Apparently to appease Wilson,' he wrote, and added, 'The whole endeavor seems astroturfed to satiate Wilson's demands and a loud Internet/WNBA cohort who'll get mad if Caitlin Clark is prioritized.' Nike turned up the juice on the women's front in its first Super Bowl ad in 27 years featuring Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Jordan Chiles, and Sha'Carri Richardson. The 'So Win' ad was praised by many, but also generated controversy, being considered by some as condescending and inauthentic, given Nike's checkered history with female athletes. The voice over provided by rapper Doechii repeated statements that women supposedly hear that challenge their performance. 'You can't be demanding. You can't be relentless. You can't put yourself first. You can't be confident. You can't challenge. You can't dominate. You can't speak up. You can't be emotional,' she said, ending with 'Whatever you do, you can't win, so win.' The last statement is particularly ironic since in athletic competition, there is one place in which women can't seem to win: when they compete against biologically male, trans athletes. The participation of transgender athletes in women's sports has become the most critical sporting issue of our time, intersecting with wide-spread debates about fairness, inclusion, and the integrity of sporting competition. Nike stands on the inclusion side of the debate. 'We're continuing our commitment to helping shape a strong culture of LGBTQIA+ belonging and visibility in sport. We're working to expand sport for the next generation through community grants, athlete partnerships, impactful storytelling, and products that celebrate the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ expression. Because sport is better when all athletes are free to play as themselves,' it stated in 2023. However, Americans overwhelmingly support keeping women's sports exclusively for biological women. A New York Times/Ipsos public opinion poll conducted this year found 79% of Americans believe that trans athletes who were male at birth should not compete in women's sports. Likewise, a NBC poll among 20,000 Americans found 75% oppose trans women competing in women's sports, including nearly two-thirds of the GenZ cohort aged 18-to-29 years. Perhaps this is why Nike has remained largely silent after Outkick and the New York Times Magazine revealed it provided funds to Boston Children's Hospital and researchers Kathryn Ackerman, a BCH attending physician and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, and Joanna Harper to study the physiological impact of gender-affirming care on athletic performance. While Outkick reported an unnamed Nike executive said the study 'was never initialized' and 'is not moving forward,' the Boston Children's Hospital Magazine winter 2024 issue revealed such a study, supported 'in part' by Nike, was in process to 'fill a crucial gap and inform future policy decisions.' Treating children with puberty-blocking hormones, e.g. gender-affirming care, is a contentious issue on its own, without bringing the sports performance issue into it. The U.K. has indefinitely banned the use of puberty blockers on children under 18, though its decision will be reviewed in 2027. Some 25 U.S. states have enacted laws against gender-affirming care in children and one such Tennessee law is under review by the Supreme Court. All of which brings into question the ethics of performing medical experiments on youth to measure their sports performance, not to mention Nike's support of such experiments. 'Why on earth would a company that makes running shoes fund — or at the very least incentivize —medical experiments on children?' questions Jennifer Sey, founder of XX-XY Athletics and outspoken advocate for keeping women's and girl's sports exclusively for women and girls. 'When it comes to girls' athletic abilities, they are not impaired boys. It's a demeaning and degrading starting point to assert that if we just hamper boys enough it might be ok for them to compete against girls,' she continued. Regarding Nike's involvement in the experiments, Sey gives the company the benefit of the doubt, with questions remaining whether the funding decision was made by the company or its separate non-profit Nike Foundation. Having corporate experience at the highest levels of Levi Strauss, Sey understands how decisions can be made deep within an organization without senior executives' knowledge or oversight. Further, any funding decision was likely made prior to Hill's appointment. Only six months in, Nike CEO Hill is taking the necessary steps to turn the company around. The 'Win Now' strategic plan is all about focusing the company on business objectives: five fields of play, three key countries and five key cities. Hill is also focused on getting the corporate culture aligned with the plan. He's had a chance to work with his leadership team, assess their strengths and weaknesses, pruned those who don't support or can't implement his business agenda and promoted those who can and will, while keeping tighter rein on their activities through direct reports. 'We're taking a long-term view here. We're making the decisions that are best for the health of our brand and business, decisions that will drive shareholder value. I strongly believe Nike's path to sustainable, profitable growth will be through sport,' he said in the second quarter earnings call. Reading between the lines, that statement suggests that Hill is leading Nike back to the 'business of business is business,' in Milton Friedman's words. He's pulling it toward 'normie capitalism,' a term which has become somewhat controversial, yet it means very simply 'product excellence and best-in-class business performance,' as Sey described in her book, Levi's Unbuttoned. Getting back to the business of sport and keeping the entire organization focused on that will be how Hill leads Nike back to profitable, sustainable growth. See also:
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nike restructures its leadership team
Nike has announced that it is shaking up its senior leadership team, announcing an exit and several key promotions across marketing, design, innovation, and growth to reverse years of sluggish sales. All roles within the senior leadership team will report directly to Nike CEO and president Elliott Hill. Hill and Heidi O'Neill, president of Consumer, Product, and Brand, have decided the Consumer, Product, and Brand leadership will now be divided into three distinct areas: Consumer and Sport, Marketing, and Product Creation, inclusive of Innovation and Design. These roles will now report directly to Hill. As a result of these changes, O'Neill has decided to retire from Nike after 26 years. She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until September 2025. 'For nearly three decades, Heidi has been a true champion for Nike, for sport and for athletes across the globe. Her vision and dedication over the years have left an indelible mark on Nike and created an impact on the world of sport,' said Hill. 'Among Heidi's many successes, she most recently elevated our brand voice, and innovation and product pipeline by putting sport and athletes at the center of everything we do. I want to thank Heidi for her passion, commitment and service and wish her the best on her next adventure.' The new senior leadership appointments will be effective immediately and include: Amy Montagne, previously VP/GM Global Women's, has been promoted to president, Nike, responsible for obsessing and serving consumers across all sports and driving future growth for the Nike Brand. Phil McCartney, formerly VP, Footwear, has been promoted to EVP, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer responsible for the creation of innovative and coveted product, season-after-season. This includes how Nike, Jordan and Converse innovates, designs, and creates products for athletes around the world. Nicole Graham, previously chief marketing officer, has been promoted to EVP, chief marketing officer, leading Nike, Jordan and Converse storytelling to inspire consumers and shape the brands for distinction through the passion and emotion of sport. Tom Clarke, currently strategic advisor to the CEO and member of the SLT, has assumed the new role of chief growth initiatives officer. 'I'm confident that with this new structure and leadership team in place we will be able to better line up and leverage all the advantages that make Nike great,' said Hill. 'These exceptional leaders bring extensive Nike experience and have been instrumental in resetting our priorities to lead with sport and put the athlete at the center of everything we do.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amy Montagne Named Nike Brand President, Heidi O'Neill to Retire as the Swoosh Makes More Big Management Changes
Nike announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team late Monday in an effort to 'accelerate' its progress against its Win Now action plan. According to the Swoosh, chief executive officer and president Elliott Hill and Heidi O'Neill, president of Consumer, Product, and Brand, have decided the O'Neill's division will now be divided into three distinct areas: Consumer and Sport, Marketing, and Product Creation, which is inclusive of innovation and design. More from Footwear News These roles will now report directly to Hill, the company said. As a result of these changes O'Neill has decided to retire from Nike after 26 years. She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until September. 'For nearly three decades, Heidi has been a true champion for Nike, for sport and for athletes across the globe. Her vision and dedication over the years have left an indelible mark on Nike and created an impact on the world of sport,' Hill said in a statement. 'Among Heidi's many successes, she most recently elevated our brand voice, and innovation and product pipeline by putting sport and athletes at the center of everything we do. I want to thank Heidi for her passion, commitment and service and wish her the best on her next adventure.' Heidi O'Neill. Courtesy of Nike As a result of this move, Amy Montagne, previously the vice president and general manager of global women's, has been promoted to president of Nike brand, responsible for 'obsessing and serving consumers' across all sports and driving future growth for the Nike brand. Montagne has worked at Nike for 20 years, and has previously held various VP/GM roles, including Asia Pacific and Latin America, global men's, global categories, global women's, global merchandising, and other leadership positions in North America, running, women's training, and sportswear. Before joining Nike, Montagne worked in allocation, planning, and merchandising at Gap Inc., Mervyn's, and Walmart. Next, Phil McCartney, formerly VP of footwear, has been promoted to EVP and chief innovation, design & product officer, responsible for the creation of innovative and coveted product, season-after-season. This includes how Nike, Jordan and Converse innovates, designs, and creates products for athletes around the world. McCartney is a seasoned professional with 27 years of experience at Nike. He previously served as the VP of Nike footwear, a position he has held since 2016. Over the past nine years, he has contributed significantly to the growth of Nike by working across product development, design, and merchandising for all sports and Nike sportswear.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NIKE, Inc. Announces Senior Leadership Changes to Accelerate Growth and Drive Win Now Action Plan
Amy Montagne Becomes President, Nike Phil McCartney Becomes EVP, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer Nicole Graham Becomes EVP, Chief Marketing Officer Tom Clarke Becomes Chief Growth Initiatives Officer Heidi O'Neill to Retire BEAVERTON, Ore., May 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) announced a series of strategic changes to its Senior Leadership Team (SLT), elevating experienced leaders to accelerate progress against its Win Now action plan to position the company for future growth. Elliott Hill, President and CEO, NIKE, Inc. and Heidi O'Neill, President of Consumer, Product, and Brand, have decided the Consumer, Product, and Brand leadership will now be divided into three distinct areas: Consumer and Sport, Marketing, and Product Creation, inclusive of Innovation and Design. These roles will now report directly to Hill. As a result of these changes O'Neill has decided to retire from Nike after 26 years. She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity until September 2025. "For nearly three decades, Heidi has been a true champion for Nike, for sport and for athletes across the globe. Her vision and dedication over the years have left an indelible mark on Nike and created an impact on the world of sport," said Hill. "Among Heidi's many successes, she most recently elevated our brand voice, and innovation and product pipeline by putting sport and athletes at the center of everything we do. I want to thank Heidi for her passion, commitment and service and wish her the best on her next adventure." The new Senior Leadership appointments will be effective immediately and include: Amy Montagne, previously VP/GM Global Women's, has been promoted to President, Nike, responsible for obsessing and serving consumers across all sports and driving future growth for the Nike Brand. Phil McCartney, formerly VP, Footwear, has been promoted to EVP, Chief Innovation, Design & Product Officer responsible for the creation of innovative and coveted product, season-after-season. This includes how Nike, Jordan and Converse innovates, designs, and creates products for athletes around the world. Nicole Graham, previously Chief Marketing Officer, has been promoted to EVP, Chief Marketing Officer, leading Nike, Jordan and Converse storytelling to inspire consumers and shape the brands for distinction through the passion and emotion of sport. Tom Clarke, currently strategic advisor to the CEO and member of the SLT, has assumed the new role of Chief Growth Initiatives Officer. "I'm confident that with this new structure and leadership team in place we will be able to better line up and leverage all the advantages that make Nike great," said Hill. "These exceptional leaders bring extensive Nike experience and have been instrumental in resetting our priorities to lead with sport and put the athlete at the center of everything we do." Background information on key leaders: Amy Montagne has worked at Nike for 20 years, most recently serving as VP/GM Global Women's. Previously she held various VP/GM roles, including Asia Pacific and Latin America, Global Men's, Global Categories, Global Women's, Global Merchandising, and other leadership positions in North America, Running, Women's Training, and Sportswear. Before joining Nike, Montagne worked in allocation, planning, and merchandising at Gap Inc., Mervyn's, and Walmart. She has a deep understanding of the athlete and how Nike can drive operational excellence to serve them effectively. She is recognized for her leadership capabilities and her ability to implement change, foster innovation, and build brand impact. Phil McCartney is a seasoned professional with 27 years of experience at Nike. He previously served as the VP of Nike Footwear, a position he has held since 2016. Over the past nine years, he has contributed significantly to the growth of Nike by working across product development, design, and merchandising for all sports and Nike Sportswear. Phil is renowned for his ability to build, drive, and inspire teams to achieve product excellence. His diverse career at Nike includes various roles in different geographies and functions. He began his journey as an EKIN in the UK, progressed to product roles in Amsterdam, and ultimately joined Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton. Prior to his tenure at Nike, Phil was a long-distance runner representing Great Britain, which underscores his profound passion for sports. Nicole Graham has more than 20 years of experience in Marketing and is a visionary leader experienced at building iconic brands. She re-joined Nike as the CMO in 2023 and has a proven track record of creating world-class marketing for Nike that has energized global sports moments like the Olympics and Paralympics, the World Cup, the NBA Finals and the Super Bowl. In 2020, Nicole co-founded Adopt, a creative agency that partners with athletes, start-ups, and top consumer companies. Prior to that, she spent 18 years at Nike, honing her expertise across all facets of Marketing from sport categories to retail and Nike Direct across global, geo, and key cities. Dr. Thomas Clarke is a 45-year veteran of Nike. He joined Nike in 1980 as the Director of Biomechanics Research, before going on to serve in roles such as Director of Research and Development; VP, Product, VP, Marketing; and GM, Nike Brand. His first senior leadership role was VP, Footwear and Apparel, and he was President and Chief Operating Officer from 1994-2000. Prior to becoming the strategic advisor to the CEO in 2023, Clarke served as the President of Innovation for Nike for 11 years, overseeing advanced innovation for the company across footwear, apparel, and accessories. He also previously served on the boards for NIKE, Inc., Newell Rubbermaid and Starwood Hotels. About NIKE, Inc. NIKE, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE, Inc.'s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at Individuals can also visit follow NIKE on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. View source version on Contacts Media Contact:
