brand ambassador

As a highly respected global brand, Nike has consistently set the standard for athletic wear. Thus, it stands to reason why, Nike has sought out some of the world’s most powerful, accomplished and influential athletes as the brand’s official spokesperson. From track and field stars to famous football players, these brand reps have taken Nike to heights that seemed out of reach, making the brand an international staple.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is arguably the most successful athlete to ever endorse Nike. The partnership between the NBA legend and Nike began in 1985 when the sports shoe giant outbid companies such as his alma mater, Adidas, for the chance to represent Michael in advertising. The deal signed was for a five-year contract for $500,000 plus royalties, beginning in September 1985.

During his tenure, Jordan released two signature shoes, the Air Jordan I and the Air Jordan II. To fully take hold of the endorsements meted out by Jordan, Nike created an additional division within the brand, specifically aimed at marketing all things Jordan. This division is famously known as the Jordan Brand division.

Muhammad Ali

In the 1940s and 50s, the world of boxing was impacted by the presence of one the greatest boxers who ever lived - Muhammad Ali. His career began in a time when the world was largely unaccustomed to athlete endorsements, and this is why his Nike endorsement, which lasted from 1978 to 1982 was so memorable. Although he was retired at the time, Ali’s Nike endorsement developed into content that was very popular in the United States.

The endorsement began with the creation of a television ad which featured the man himself. To fully maximize on the endorsement, advertisements and commercials featuring the athlete were played in cinemas across the country, generating millions of dollars in revenue. The legacies of Muhammad Ali remain remembered today with the creation of his very own Nike-made shoes called the Air Trainer Max 91s.

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt is largely credited as the greatest sprinter of all time. For over ten years, the Usain Bolt brand has been heavily linked to Nike’s sports apparel. In 2013, Nike and Usain Bolt renewed their partnership in a five-year deal worth $9.8m.

The contract terms included Bolt being sponsored and compensated for sporting a range of Nike clothing, including the popular Nike Air VaporMax Flyknit shoes. This collaboration was used to not just promote the brand and its products, but also promote the spirit of athletics.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant has long been associated with Nike, his first partnership with the company being struck in 2003. The Nike contract extension added on to Kobe’s then-existing partnership. This was a groundbreaking deal at the time as it was the first time an NBA player had signed a mega deal worth over $10m for four years.

During his time as the brand’s spokesperson, Kobe released numerous shoes, supported various Nike campaigns, and even went as far as advocating for Nike’s Tryout feature. To mark the end of Bryant’s successful endorsement, he was given his very own Nike Kobe 11 Flyknit shoe.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey burst onto the Professional Wrestling scene in 2015 and quickly gained a huge following. Her background in Judo only added to the respect she was given due to her impressive record of wins and accomplishments. Subsequently, this led to a sponsorship deal with Nike in 2016.

Rousey was enlisted to promote and advertise the Nike Women’s Training collection, doing so by exhibiting and modeling the off-duty aesthetic of the range. Her appearance in Nike press releases and campaigns continue to be memorable, reinforcing the brand’s commitment towards enhancing female athletes in a male-dominated industry.

Conclusion

Throughout the years, Nike has made a conscious effort in terms of retaining and enlisting the best of the best in the world of sports. With ‘The Restless Ones’ ad campaign, Nike has truly outdone itself in terms of honoring the accomplishments, ambitions and achievements of some of the world’s greatest athletes, both male and female. Their use of endorsements and product collaborations as a way of recognizing these athletes as inspirations is truly praiseworthy and shows a commitment to excellence.

Being an official for a certain company, I think it is very important to have a famous celebrity as a spokesman for our brand. Celebrities represent success and grace and everyone would love to have a famous person representing their product. They are loved by millions and people can relate to them more easily, which is why they make effective and successful spokesperson. On the other hand, they can also act as role models, showing customers the kind of lifestyle they want to be associated with.

Not only can a celebrity help in promoting a certain product, but they can also be used to exalt our brand’s name. Their endorsement is a significant step towards marketing our product and increasing its appeal. Their popularity also translates to greater visibility, and as a result, more fans and customers. You can use their fame to your advantage and associate yourself and your brand with the popular celebrity.

Besides being well-known, a celebrity should also be personally involved in the product or brand. By actively using or interacting with the product, it allows customers to see that the celebrity truly supports the company. This gives credibility to the message, meaning it’s not just an advertisement. It shows that the celebrity actually believes in the product and found it useful.

Overall, having a celebrity as our brand spokesman has a great influence on the success of our product. A famous face can immediately draw customers’ attention and loyalty, which can help increase sales exponentially. Moreover, having a spokesperson adds a touch of personality and promotes an overall sense of comfort towards our brand.