While Nike has closed many of its stores throughout the world, its support of sport (and, of course, its business) remains open. Now that gyms are closed in a lot of countries, people are having to find the will – and the means – to exercise at home. Nike is helping out by giving people access to the premium features of its subscription service, Nike Training Club (NTC) app, and is supporting it with a simple social media ad by Wieden + Kennedy.
Now more than ever, we are one team. #playinside #playfortheworld pic.twitter.com/LRLhL4FwkG
— Nike (@Nike) March 21, 2020
Within hours, a number of the brand’s top athletes such as Michael Jordan; Cristiano Ronaldo; US Olympic soccer player, Carli Lloyd; US basketball players, Sue Bird & Elena Delle Donne; Tiger Woods; Serena Williams; New York Mets first baseman, Pete Alonso; and New York Giants running back, Saquon Barkley have been amplifying the brand’s message across their social channels.
Now more than ever, we are one family. #JUMPMAN #playinside pic.twitter.com/U1G4HFeNBY
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) March 21, 2020
Nike has also committed more than US$15 million (AU$26m) to COVID-19 response efforts, the funds going primarily to organisations in Nike’s hometown state of Oregon, including US$7 million to Oregon Health & Science University to improve state-wide care coordination, increase patient access and to prepare for expanded diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Nike’s chairman emeritus and co-founder, Phil Knight, and wife Penny; executive chairman of the board and former chief executive officer, Mark Parker, and wife Kathy; and current Nike president and chief executive officer, John Donahoe, and wife Eileen are personally pledged to donate a combined US$10 million.
Now more than ever, we are one team. #playinside #playfortheworld pic.twitter.com/LRLhL4FwkG
— Nike (@Nike) March 21, 2020
— Pete Alonso (@Pete_Alonso20) March 21, 2020
[Note the alarming fake ad post in Pete Alonso’s thread]
