The Evolution Of Nike Inc.

#1 1965: A Brand Is Born Originally known as BRS, Nike was founded in January 1965 by University Of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman. The company initially operated a distributor for a Japanese shoe maker but quickly grew in popularity thanks to its “waffle” design in the sole. The pattern helped boost profits, and in 1966, BRS opened its first retail store in Santa Monica, California. #2 1970: Nike Surpasses Adidas With a focus on creating goods for a wide range of sports, Nike eventually surpassed Adidas in the 1970s' and became a brand with no direct competition. The reason: there evidently wasn't a single brand that could compete directly with Nike's take on sports and non-sports orientated gear and they weren't tested until Reebok came along in the 1980s'. #3 1971: The "Nike" Design Gets Unveiled The first shoe to carry the legendary swoosh design was a soccer/football cleat named Nike, which was released in the summer of 1971. After BRS' relationship with Onitsuka Tiger came to an end, the company launched its own line of footwear incorporating the new design element and the name Nike, which derived from the Greek goddess of victory. #4 1978: BRS Officially Renames Itself Nike In 1978, BRS Inc. officially renamed itself to the company we know today, Nike Inc. Beginning with Illie Nastase, the first pro athlete to sign with BRS/Nike, the sponsorship of professional athletes became a key marketing tool for Nike and the focus managed to slightly change the perspective of competitors looking to enhance their brand's image. #5 1980: Expanding The Product Line By 1980, Nike shocked its competition by reaching a 50 per cent market share in the United States athletic shoe market. The organization's growth was due largely to "word-of-foot" advertising rather than television ads and the appeal of their footwear allowed Nike to expand its product line to cover various sports and regions across the globe. #6 1982: Nike Runs First National Commercial The company's first national television commercials ran in October 1982 during the broadcast of the New York marathon. The ads were created by Portland-based agency Wieden+Kennedy who became longtime partners with the brand after just forming a few months before Nike's first TV spot. #7 Present: Nike Sets New Bars Though it took a few decades for the company to evolve, Nike Inc. Has become a formidable name among sports apparel and global brands in general. Throughout the late 2000s' and at the turn of 2010, Nike continued its growth by acquiring the likes of Umbro and even selling its Bauer division in the hockey world. Where the brand's headed next is anyone's guess!

#1 1965: A Brand Is Born

Murtaza Rangwala

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