Ali Kaltman’s Post

The National Basketball Association (NBA) court-side has long been an arena for players, celebrities, and fans alike to showcase their personal style or love for their team, one often coming at the expense of the other. The Brooklyn Nets private fashion label Berō is helping to end that dilemma by breaking fashion-conscious sports fans free from the shackles of traditional licensee-designed fan gear. Berō’s first collection was shared in December of last year, but last month's A/W 2024 Fashion Week brought teasers of what is to come. In recent years, European football clubs have hired creative directors and opened fashion-forward flagship stores to showcase their collaborations with high-end streetwear brands such as Off-White and PLEASURES NOW. Could this be the future for American sports teams as well? As demonstrated in the historical deal inked by Kristin Juszczyk and the National Football League (NFL) earlier this year, there is an opportunity for American sports teams to capture the largely underserved demographic of fashion-conscious (often female) sports fans. I certainly hope as this shift continues, we see more teams move past the "shrink it and pink it" strategy in favor of high-quality, style-forward initiatives like Berō. https://lnkd.in/eSbA6N4d

👟 Industry-Shaping Collaborations: How Sneaker Brands are Redefining the Game 👟 From iconic athletes to high-end fashion designers, sneaker collaborations have become a driving force in the footwear industry. These partnerships not only bring together creativity and innovation but also shape the future of sneaker culture. Collaborations like Nike x Off-White, Adidas x Kanye West, and Puma x Rihanna have captivated sneakerheads worldwide, pushing boundaries and setting new trends. By merging different creative perspectives, these collaborations have brought fresh designs, limited-edition releases, and unparalleled hype to the market. As sneaker brands continue to team up with influencers and tastemakers, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking collaborations that will shape the industry for years to come. Stay tuned as the sneaker game evolves through these exciting partnerships! #SneakerCollabs #FootwearIndustry #Innovation #SneakerCulture #Collaborations

A really thought provoking article by LUKE HODSON - Founder NERDS Collective, taking a look at the challenges that lie ahead for Nike. My belief is that generational differences are largely about standing out rather than fitting in, and the most simple way to do that is through our fashion choices. Whether that's to communicate our values or our ethics, or simply to look different from the crowd. Our identity has never been so relevant, and it's interesting to see the rise of not only culture/interest-first brands such as HOKA and Lululemon, but also the re-emergence of fashion trends such as the retro-fit, which has arguably brought Adidas back into the spotlight. Read the article! It's worth it. #fashionmarketing #brandstrategy #genz

I just came across the soon-to-be-released Nike x ISAMAYA BEAUTY collaboration. In my opinion, it’s as bold as it is unexpected. The collection reimagines the Nike Air Max with multi-textural elements, metallic accents, and bold hues inspired by Isamaya’s unique beauty vision. ISAMAYA BEAUTY is also marking the occasion with the launch of a red lipstick, embodying the spirit of the partnership, which ultimately is to celebrate women athletes. It's been such a big year for the intersection of beauty and sport. What are your thoughts on the collaboration? #beauty #cosmetics #fashion #beautybusiness #beautyindustry

When I go to buy sports shoes, the first sentence I say is - I want ‘running shoes for women.’ Replace running with any other sport.  When a consumer buys sports apparel, the sport always precedes gender. I find it hard to understand how Nike’s decision to remove specific sports categories (e.g., basketball, running, tennis) and instead organize its business around gender was meant to make it more consumer-focused. Don’t miss Mark Ritson's brilliant article on the Nike saga - a reminder of what now needs to be written in stone: “You need both long, mass-market, emotional brand building and short, targeted product activation in roughly the right proportions.”

Nike's collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion is more than a fusion of fashion; it's a seamless alignment of two iconic brands. Here’s why it's a match made in brand heaven: 1. At the core of Nike's ethos is the commitment to pushing limits and embracing individuality. Megan Thee Stallion, with her unapologetic authenticity and fierce energy, mirrors these values, creating a collaboration that champions uniqueness. 2. Nike's legacy in sports innovation meets Megan's bold aesthetic, resulting in a collection that effortlessly marries style with cutting-edge performance. 3. Both Nike and Megan share a narrative of rising against challenges. Megan's journey from breakthrough artist to cultural icon resonates with Nike's iconic “Just Do It” spirit, inspiring individuals to overcome obstacles and pursue greatness. 4. Nike x Megan Thee Stallion is more than a collaboration; it's a celebration of empowerment. Both brands encourage everyone to be unapologetically themselves and embrace their unique journey. 5. Nike and Megan Thee Stallion redefine the game, bringing a collection that seamlessly blends their legacies. This collaboration is more than fashion; it's a movement resonating with the unstoppable spirit within us all. #nike #digitalmarketers #megantheestallion #brandpartnerships #womenbusinessowner #socialmediamarketingagency

Nike's shares rose over 10% yesterday over the news that veteran executive Elliot Hill will replace the incumbent CEO John Donahoe, effective next month. The athleisure maker's share price has tumbled 31.7% this year, and has been struggling to recover the momentum it gained in the pandemic years. John Donahoe has previsouly seved executive roles at the consultancy firm Bain & Company and the online marketplace eBay, overseeing the latter's move to breakaway from its partnership with Paypal in 2015. He has led Nike since January 2020, but voices of concern had been rising when his attempts to boost Nike's profits failed after mass job cuts and reducing physical presence in wholesale retailers. It is an interesting business case that again raises the question of whether management consultants have enough grit and experience to succeed as CEOs of retail-driven, creative companies. Former senior civil servant in the Treasury, Dame Sharon White, has also announced to step down as John Lewis and Partnership's chair next year when her term ends in February. Having led the UK media regulator Ofcom, her lack of retail experience also drew lament upon initial announcement of her appointment. When she steps down, she will be the shortest serving chair in the department store operator's 100-year history. I wrote a long piece about the Nike's market descent back in July, when its shares were even lower, at $71. It is facing headwinds from up and coming market challengers like On Running and Hoka. There has never been a doubt that Nike will bounce back one day, after all, it is a legacy company that is too big to fail, but the news of Elliot Hill's return certainly piques new questions of what strategies they will use on its climb up. #businessintelligence #markets #business #Nike #sportswear https://lnkd.in/eR7wnXrx

Athletes have taken over as the new icons of fashion. This article highlights how figures like Neymar, Serena Williams and Simone Biles are now at the forefront of brand campaigns, reshaping the industry. The transformation represents a broader cultural trend where sports serve as a universal connector, uniting diverse audiences. With their massive social media followings and personal brands, athletes are not just endorsers but key collaborators in shaping brand identities. The shift towards hyper-personalization and direct engagement is redefining how brands connect with consumers, emphasizing authenticity and relatability. As this trend continues, the role of athletes in fashion and culture is set to expand even further. “Most athletes want longer term deals…They want to align with a brand, but they don’t necessarily want to do 10 or 20 partnerships. Often they come in with a vision of the type of brand they want to build for themselves”. —Jens Grede, Cofounder SKIMS #athletesinfashion #sportsandstyle #fashiontrend #brandpartnerships https://lnkd.in/gGPGG-aw

Nike Falters, Struggles Against On, Hoka: Neglecting Running Shoe Niche, Living on Past Success, Mass Layoffs Ignite Internal Unrest **Nike Faces Turbulence Amidst Innovation Woes and Market Competition** **Losing Its Edge** Late February saw Nike CEO John Donahoe hosting a Zoom meeting with the company’s entire workforce. Donahoe delivered a somber message: “The company hasn’t performed at the level it should have, and I am accountable for that.” Two weeks before that meeting, Nike had announced the layoff of over 1,600 employees. As the CEO spoke, the Zoom chat flooded with critical comments from the 20,000 employees in attendance. “If we’re cutting costs, why not the CEO’s pay?” one wrote. Laughter emojis soon filled the screen. The online protest reflects the deep dissatisfaction brewing within the sportswear giant, along with concerns over the company’s strategy. Since the pandemic, Nike has ceded ground in its core running category while focusing on retro hype releases and an e-commerce revolution that never quite arrived. These moves, according to current and former employees, have eroded the culture of innovation and agility that once made Nike one of the world’s most revered brands. Donahoe has told The Wall Street Journal in 2020 that his top priority upon taking the reins was “to do no harm.” Four years later, the company is dismantling key elements of the CEO’s strategy that have backfired as upstart competitors circle. “I’ve done some things right and I’ve done some things wrong,” Donahoe admitted during the meeting. **Losing Ground** Strategic missteps have sparked internal debate about Nike’s identity. In its bid to boost digital sales, Nike has strayed too far from its roots as a maker of cutting-edge footwear for serious athletes, current and former employees say. It has left the company vulnerable to upstarts like On and Hoka—companies that borrowed from Nike’s own playbook of growth—including a focus on performance over lifestyle and embracing risk-taking in innovation. Nike CEO John Donahoe. Nike’s once-torrid growth has stalled. Revenue in the quarter ended Feb. 29 was flat from a year earlier, and the company’s stock has declined 24% over the past year, compared with the S&P 500’s 19% gain. Donahoe acknowledged in an interview that the brand had lost its “performance edge” and needed to accelerate its “pipeline of breakthrough innovation.” The brand’s marketing has become too diffuse, the CEO said, and as people return to physical stores, Nike clearly needs to invest in its retail partners. Nike executives have said in interviews that the company became too conservative after the pandemic and relied too heavily on old products. They say the company has made significant changes in recent months to refocus on making cutting-edge footwear. Nike is going through a “dark period” and employee morale has been shaken by the layoffs, Donahoe said, but the company will emerge on the other side. “Our ...

It was a murderer who inspired Nike’s iconic tagline. “Let’s do it” were the final words of Gary Gilmore, who was facing execution. In 1988 Dan Wieden took this chilling phrase, tweaked it, and turned it into the three words we all know today: “JUST DO IT” And that became Nike’s tagline since. In fact, more than a tagline, it became a global Movement. Hard to believe, right? 🤯 What started from a dark, chilling moment was transformed into a message of empowerment, resilience, and action. How come it had such a huge impact? Because those three words—short, simple, and direct—are universally relatable. It is a call to action for anyone facing a challenge, not just Athletes. But, there was another key factor for this huge movement. STORIES Nike told wonderful stories Stories of athletes who broke barriers Stories of women who defied the stereotypes Stories of the discriminated who refused to stay silent Stories of those who dared to make their dreams happen And this tapped into something deeper in the psyche of consumers. Nike’s campaigns were about more than selling shoes and sportswear. They were about inspiring people and pushing the limits. What do you think about this brilliant emotional Marketing?