Business Marketing

Nike products do not have much appeal to the "business market", but other aspects of the company do relate. Such as its website and other large companies wanting to partner with the Nike team.

With features like Nike ID on their web page, it makes it hard for a sneaker fanatic to steer away from all the potential styles of sneakers they can create making their site very "sticky". Also with all of Nike's loyal customers, the company is viewed as a cash cow by other investors and company owners. Which makes Nike a very good company to potentially have an alliance with. Although Nike apparel does not have much use in the corporate or industrial market, When they sponsor school athletic programs that is beyond just personal use and a form of business marketing. Over all Phil Knight and the Nike team figured out how to innovate sneakers and turn an sporting apperal comapany into a major business figure in our society.

Running To The Market (Segmenting & Targeting Markets)

Before the 1970's there was not much of a variety when it came to athletic apparel. Phil Knight and his partners felt the demand for high quality but low cost footwear was needed, so the quest of innovating sneakers began. Promoting to a broader market, the Nike company developed a goal of making everyone feel like an "athlete". Stating in their mission statement "to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body your a athlete." With the lack of competitive products from rival companies early on, Nike was able to take control of the potential market and capitalize by releasing new products consumers have never saw. Testing their sneakers in over seas markets helped the company's great success. They were able to enter the American market with capital and a feel of what consumers were looking for when purchasing footwear for athletic purposes.

Apple Meets Nike (Developing & Managing Products)

Continuing their long strides in creating new sporting apparel products, Nike teamed up with Apple Inc. to further their advances in sports technology. Both of the power house companies singed a deal back in 2006 to develop two separate products that work in sync with each other. They both created a sneaker as well a device that is able to inform the runner on their progress while listening to music hands free. Both companies have a history of designing innovative products that are most convenient for consumers, which almost made this deal a "no brainier".

Apple and Nike said shifting to the gym was the next natural step. "People enjoy tracking themselves as a way to keep themselves motivated," They thoroughly analyzed the potential market, and we're able to capitalize on the demand since there has been no other types of technology able to preform the task that their product has.

LINKS:

http://articles.boston.com/2008-03-05/business/29272049_1_nike-gym-equipment-nano

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/06/05/23/nike_and_apple_launch_nikeipod_product_line_images.html

Jordan's Come Back.

ATTENTION ALL SNEAKER HEADS! "Dont call it a come back" but here are the latest release dates for the retro Jordan sneaker collection.
November:

19th: Girls Retro 14's- Pink & Black
Original Release Date: Oct. 2005

Retro Price:$150

25th: Retro 3's- Black/Cement

Original Release Date: 1988

Retro Price:$160+

Considered one of the "classics" in the Jordan collection.

December:

3rd: Retro 3's- Flip Black

These are the newest version of Jordan's 3rd sneaker.

They are the opposite color of the original "Flips" released in

'06.

http://www.nicekicks.com/2011/10/sneaker-showdown-air-jordan-3-flip-black-flip/ (click here to view)

Price:$150

17th: Retro 14's- "Last Shot"
Original Release Date: 1999

Retro Price:$150

23rd: Retro 11's- White/Black ("Concords")

Original Release Date: 1996

These are another pair of "Jordan classics." The Black and Blue

versions are most famous because of the movie "Space Jam"

in which he wore these to defeat the "Mon-Stars."

Price:$150+

January:

21st: Retro 10's- "Bulls"
Original Release Date: 1995

Price:$150

Marketing Communications

I believe Nike has a large competitive advantage when it comes to rival companies in the sporting apparel market. From their innovative products to their sales strategies, Nike has surpassed almost all of its competitors as well other large corporations.

Nike does well with creating new exciting products, in which they are able to pull consumers in. whether their product is in "style" or leading future styles the Nike team does a great job in advertising & promoting the product. They almost have the same strategy as Apple. First they announce a product, create a buzz then capitalize once the demand builds up to a certain point. Months before a sneaker is released or certain apparel Nike has already started promoting it through sponsored athletes,then once it hits the market the high intensity and emotional advertisements are shown to reel in any other "non-believers".

The thing that helps mold Nike into a power house of a company is their consistency in creating well made and affordable products. Nike products are probably the most preferred apparel when it comes to athletics. Its products are always stylish and also reliant which has resulted in great success for the brand.

"LeBrons" Concept (Product Concept)

Developing high quality and innovative products has helped Nike gain brand equity, with allot more brand loyalty from their customers. Most consumers have high expectations of Nike apparel or already know what is their buying when purchasing a Nike product. Each of these attributes have lead to high sales of Nike products, and great success in their foot wear lines.

NOW ENTER KING JAMES....

All Star athlete LeBron James sneaker has dropped this month. It is the 9th edition of his sneaker collection.

Sneaker Design:

• 3 panels of "fly wire" technology. For comfort and support but also makes the sneaker lighter.
• New upper design for more flexibility but also applies support at the Ankle. ("stability wing")
• Strap that connects at top, across ankle and attaches both sides of fly wire.
• New LeBron logo on back.
• Air max 180 bubble(air bags) on heel of sneaker.
• Lightest LeBron sneaker yet

Nike Video on LeBrons NEW sneaker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nzZSYhFRfk&list=PL2FE3086EC67F41C1&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Sales Promotion & Personal Selling

"Free shipping FOR MEMBERS on orders $100+." It states on the Nike web site Directly under their new advertisement for the "Nike pro hyperwarm thermal", and just below that a link to all their latest products as well a link to everything recently put on sale. To a blind eye one would think that was just coincidence but in reality its just another sales technique Nike has. Encouraging and informing consumers about deals and discounts benefits Nike's sales. It gives costumers the feeling that they are saving, there for they should keep buying because essentially their the one benefiting the most. Besides just online sales and sales in general, Nike does a great job in promoting products. Aside from their advertisement, before purchasing a product you will know everything about it. They will usually have an athlete wear the product first so their market can become familiar with it and hopefully feel the urge to go out and buy it. Their are also websites other than Nike.com, such as 23isback.com that inform any "sneaker head" about the latest Nike sneaker that is going to be release in the future. Components like these are what make Nike such a successful brand.