Jane Axhoj

Last night Jaylen Brown led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Championship, becoming the first player to win the NBA Finals MVP award without a signature sneaker deal in more than 40 years. Brown has long been an outspoken critic of brands' performance basketball offerings since the expiration of his Adidas deal in 2021. Sneakerheads have shared these concerns for several years, citing a lack of originality and innovation in the marketing and design of signature basketball shoes. But there are signs that the category is staging a comeback. A new generation of young talents, new designs and bold marketing are reviving interest in athletes’ lines. The NBA Finals was a guaranteed win for Nike's Jordan Brand, who saw two of its signature athletes — Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic — going head-to-head. Meanwhile, Anta secured a landmark finals appearance for the Anta Kai 1, its debut signature sneaker with Kyrie Irving. Adidas produced unquestionably the basketball sneaker of the year with the AE 1, boosted by the standout performances and on-the-pulse marketing which highlighted the charisma of Anthony Edwards, who led the Timberwolves in a deep playoff run. On resale platform StockX, trades of the top 15 signature sneaker lines are up 37 percent year-on-year, said Drew Haines, merchandising director for sneakers and collectables. It's one of several signs that the tide might be turning for a category which has stagnated of late. Read the full story on The Business of Fashion today.

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Happy to share our 2024 Celebrities & Influencers Report! From follower growth to unique endorsement deals, this report dives into the trends reshaping digital marketing. Check it out for exclusive insights. → https://lnkd.in/e3BATX6f #influencermarketing #partnerships #socialmedia

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Just finished an amazing conversation and interview with Cecilia Carloni, where we unpacked the exciting world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and Influxer's role in shaping it for our thousands of student athletes. Our discussion covered a range of crucial topics, offering valuable insights for athlete-creators, brands, and anyone interested in the ever-evolving NIL landscape. We delved into the latest NIL industry trends for athlete creators, exploring how technology is revolutionizing how athletes connect with brands and potential partnerships. We touched on Influxer's innovative solutions, advanced technology, quality NIL education, the utilization of our iOS app, and how all of these streamline the NIL process for both athletes and brands. We also discussed the life advantages and entrepreneurial skills athletes can gain by capitalizing on NIL, empowering them to build successful careers beyond the playing field. A huge thank you to Cecilia Carloni and Net Influencer for recognizing my expertise in the NIL space and providing this platform for such a fruitful discussion. Cannot wait to share more with you in the near future! Want to stay ahead of the curve? Subscribe to Net Influencer's newsletter, Influence Weekly. It's your one-stop shop for the latest news and trends in the creator economy, including the ever-changing world of NIL. #AthleteCreator #NIL #AthleteDevelopment #InfluencerMarketing

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Why do you keep reaching for those Nike shoes or Gymshark sets? It’s more than great products—it’s the marketing that sticks. In today’s session of #MarketingThatSticks, we’re diving into athleisure. Brands like Nike, Gymshark, and TALA go beyond selling apparel—they build connections. Here are some powerful takeaways from these brands: 1. Nike → Personal Triumph: Nike’s “Just Do It” isn’t just a slogan—it’s about pushing through challenges, making it deeply relatable to everyone. → Inclusive Representation: Nike doesn’t just feature top athletes; they showcase people from all backgrounds, making the brand feel personal to millions. → Standing for Something: Whether it’s the Colin Kaepernick campaign or supporting social causes, Nike knows how to build loyalty by standing for what matters. 2. Gymshark → Influencer Power: Gymshark hit it big by teaming up with influencers who actually believe in the brand, making their marketing feel real. → Fitness Events: They don’t just sell gym clothes—they bring fitness communities together through events, both online and offline. → Social Media Experts: Gymshark knows how to play the Instagram and TikTok game, with content tailored specifically for those platforms. 3. TALA → Eco-Friendly Fashion: TALA’s focus on upcycled materials gives it a major edge with eco-conscious shoppers. → Transparency Builds Trust: They’re open about their production and pricing—people love knowing exactly where their money’s going. → All About Inclusivity: With sizes for everyone, TALA makes sure all body types feel seen and valued, making customers feel like they belong. Whether it’s Nike’s emotional connection, Gymshark’s community focus, or TALA’s sustainability, these brands are proving that meaningful marketing goes far beyond selling products—it builds relationships. Which athleisure brand resonates most with you, and why? Let me know in the comments! #MarketingThatSticks

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❌❌❌ And you're OUTTA here! After months of unhappiness about "the pants" MLB finally gives Nike an ultimatum for improvement. Get the backstory in this episode of Art of Supply. #supplychain #baseball #uniforms

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🏈 The 2024-2025 NFL season is almost here, and excitement is building for fantasy football fans! 🌟 Our latest article at Stats Perform highlights some of the top wide receiver sleepers to watch for this season to hopefully find this year's Puka Nacua. #FantasyFootball #NFL #StatsPerform #PlayerInsights #SportsData #Analytics #AI #PukaNacua

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"Grow through golf." "Golf needs a rebranding." HEARD. Golf has transitioned from being dominated by The Crusty Mustaches. New golfer statistics: 34% are Black 36% are Youth ages 6-17 13% are occasional golfers 15% are Female 21% are Hispanic Brands like Eastside Golf and Malbon Golf are household names in the space for democratizing golf apparel and the game. Communities like Ladies Who Golf ATL bring female professionals together in elegant, beginner-friendly group sessions to learn and grow in golf together. It is the perfect cross section of sports, fashion, and sophisticated inclusion. Rosebloom Headwear isn't far behind. When you finally recognize Headwear Discrimination in underrepresented demographics, it becomes glaring. You can't unsee it. And Rosebloom styles unite them all - people and brands - without a loss of loyalty to the brands you already know and love. Rosebloom serves those who can't or don't wear hats due to poor fit. Anyone teetering in the middle is an "AND" client. There's room for everyone.... ..... and for cobranding 😏 Everyone can fight Headwear Discrimination with Rosebloom Headwear. Ask yourself... if your brand isn't ACTIVELY finding ways to support and grow the sport that is absolutely exploding in gender, race, and age groups, what are you even doing? Just clinging to Caitlin Clark's coat tails? And you haven't heard of Nelly Korda? Cool. Will Lowery, Doug Smith and Jordan Rogers broke this down to pieces on Beyond the Fairway this week, consequently making ya girl's heart nearly burst - my watch kept telling me that my heart rate was too high. Watch here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eSG9e7Dr

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✨ADAPTABILITY IN SPORTS IS CRUCIAL ON AND OFF THE FIELD✨ - with former professional football player (now NFL Chicago Bears QB Coach) Kerry Joseph Adaptability in sports is essential, as athletes often move to new cities, form bonds with new teammates, and learn from different coaches. Embracing these changes helps them succeed on the field/in the arena and teaches them valuable life skills like resilience and flexibility, enriching their lives long after their sports careers end. #AdaptToThrive #LifeSkillsThroughSports #ResilienceInAction

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Check out my first trend analysis for Ballpoint Sports Media! Here are some takeaways from my article, From Endorsements to Equity: The Rise of Athlete Ownership in Sports Apparel 1. Shift from Endorsements to Equity: Athletes are moving beyond traditional endorsements to pursue ownership stakes in brands, which provides them long-term financial benefits and influence. 2. Increased Influence on Brand Identity: Athlete-owners often help shape brand identity, aligning it with their personal values and audience, which deepens brand loyalty among fans. 3. Financial and Social Impact: By obtaining equity, athletes gain more control over their financial futures and contribute to the sports industry’s evolving business landscape. Let me know your thoughts below.

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Unacast's latest analysis dives deep into consumer behavior and shopping preferences in major U.S. cities. Discover where shopping thrives and which cities boast the highest concentration of frequent shoppers. With actionable insights from our location data and consumer personas, we're empowering businesses to make informed decisions: 🎯 Target marketing efforts effectively 🏬 Identify strategic locations for retail outlets or real estate developments 🔍 Understand local market trends and preferences 💡 Gain a competitive edge in the retail landscape Check out the full analysis now and stay ahead of the curve. #RetailInsights #RealEstate #ConsumerBehavior #MarketTrends 📈

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As the semester comes to a close, I want to reflect on the experience I had with developing my authentic brand. I had the opportunity to engage in “The Little Black Book of Social Media” training course that was co-created by my professor, Stefanie Boyer, PhD💧and Sharmin Attaran, PhD 🖥️. This has been a great learning experience, offering valuable lessons on how to grow your personal brand. I learned how to improve my social media time management, consistency, and overall presence. #sales #socialmedia #authentic #brand #influencer #LittleBlackBookofSocialMedia

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NEW: In my newest article for CelticsBlog I go over every Celtics players expectations heading into the 2024-25 season in three words https://lnkd.in/ejUHFfSS

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Quick hits on each #NFL #Week1 game from a betting perspective, including latest odds from top sportsbooks, @TheLinesUS: https://lnkd.in/eSTW_JqV

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#apsm4373 NFL viewership is on the rise across major networks, driven by high-profile matchups and primetime games. However, the growth isn’t as strong for regular-season games outside of these events. As the NFL adapts to evolving media trends, understanding these viewership dynamics will be key for future broadcasting strategies and fan engagement. https://lnkd.in/gr_P6nMG

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Private Equity funds have jumped into the sports world. Rising valuations and growing opportunities for media rights and sponsorships make professional sports teams an attractive investment. Deloitte published a private equity playbook in sports and here are few of the highlights. http://bit.ly/3Wgb5Ad

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