| Nike is a brand name synonymous to shoes. It's a | | | | knowledge and awareness that high-quality/low |
| household name that has accumulated billions in | | | | cost products could be produced in Japan and |
| revenue since its humble beginnings. It's | | | | shipped to the U.S. to be distributed, Knight finally |
| everybody favorite shoe company. Nike was | | | | found his market niche. However, Shallenberger |
| founded in 1962, by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight | | | | thought the idea interesting, but felt it was nothing |
| in the trunk of Knight's car and was originally | | | | more than Knight's marketing ideas for the |
| started as Blue Ribbon Sports. Nike emanated | | | | project, something that would not take off as a |
| from two sources: Bill Bowerman's quest for | | | | business jackpot. |
| lighter, more durable racing shoes for his | | | | By the late '70s, Blue Ribbon Sports officially |
| University of Oregon runners, and Knight's search | | | | became Nike and went from $10 million to $270 |
| for a way to make a living without having to give | | | | million in sales, and all from the back of a car. |
| up his love of athletics. The name 'Nike' was | | | | Many people complained about how Nikes were |
| established in 1972 after the winged Greek | | | | not made in the United States in the beginning of |
| goddess of victory. | | | | the 80s. The term 'Sweatshop' came about this |
| Instead of a wing, Nike incorporated the | | | | time when people were mad of the way Nike |
| "Swoosh". The "Swoosh" is well known all around | | | | shoes were made in Vietnam, China, and |
| the world, designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971, | | | | Indonesia where the people were paid in low |
| for ONLY $35.00. Caroline Davidson was at that | | | | wages and were subjected to very poor working |
| time, a student at Portland State University | | | | conditions. This was a major public relations issue |
| majoring in advertising. Meeting Phil Knight while he | | | | that led to the boycotting of Nike products |
| was teaching accounting classes, she started | | | | worldwide, particularly in the US. Though that, this |
| freelancing for his company. She designed the | | | | didn't stop people from purchasing Nike products |
| Swoosh and got paid $35. Together with the | | | | and Nike continued to grow. |
| Swoosh, Nike is also known for its signature | | | | The turning point for the Nike Company came |
| tagline- Just Do It that makes Nike stand out like | | | | about in 1985 with the world's greatest basketball |
| no other company. | | | | player-Michael Jordan came into play among Nike |
| Bowerman was the coach for the track team of | | | | bigwigs. With Michael Jordan, Nike climbed new |
| the University of Oregon where Phil Knight ran in | | | | heights with the ever popular "Air Jordan" shoe |
| 1959. Bowerman's desire for better quality running | | | | along with the apparels. This made Nike known as |
| shoes clearly influenced Knight in his search for a | | | | a 'Fitness and Sport Revolution' Brand and was |
| marketing strategy. Spurred with this burning | | | | named by "Advertising Age" 1996 Marketer of |
| desire, the birth of one of the world's most | | | | the Year, citing the "ubiquitous swoosh...was more |
| influential and strongest brand began to take | | | | recognized and coveted by consumers than any |
| shape. It took a while for the name 'Nike' to sink | | | | other sports brand--arguably any brand" Nike is at |
| in minds and hearts of shoe fans and sports | | | | the top of the charts thanks to Michael Jordan |
| enthusiasts as well as to establish the great name | | | | but may never admit to this. Thanks to the new |
| they have today. | | | | found success through collaborations with Jordan, |
| Nike took formation while Knight took his MBA at | | | | this lead to ne collaborations with famous athletes |
| Stanford in the early '60s with Frank | | | | such as Bo Jackson, Andre Agassi, Charles |
| Shallenberger. The semester-long project was to | | | | Barkley, Deion Sanders, Ken Griffey, Scottie |
| create a small business of your own and device a | | | | Pippen, Penny Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Barry |
| marketing plan with it. Converging Bowerman's | | | | Sanders, and many more. |
| attention to quality running shoes and the | | | | |