NIKE ‘WRITE THE FUTURE’
Nike’s newest ad campaign is on the way and we have been able to get some sneak peaks. ‘Write the Future’, ask the question: ‘what if?’…
What if Rooney’s career ends prematurely due to disappointment? What if Cristiano Ronaldo had a movie made about himself (he would love that…) or what if the latest fitness craze was Ronaldinho’s ‘Ron’s Samba-robics’ workout DVD?
All we know is that we are glad they are footballers. And we can’t wait to see what Nike have up their sleeve. We will find out soon enough.
AJAX CAPE TOWN AND THE STORMERS UNITE BEHIND BAFANA BAFANA
The entire Ajax Cape Town first team squad and Bolla Conradie, JD Moller, Wikus Blaauw, Deon Fourie, Dewald Duvenhage and Brock Harris of the Stormers lent their support to the adidas Unite Mzansi Unite campaign when they signed the Giant yellow Bafana Bafana jersey at the Tygervalley Shopping Centre this afternoon.
The two adidas-sponsored teams are the second set of players to sign the Giant Jersey in support of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, following the signing by Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena and teammate Tsepo Masilela at the launch of the campaign in Johannesburg last month.
“We are delighted with the support given by our athletes to our brand campaign and we have also received endorsement and support of President Jacob Zuma who signed the jersey when we were in Bloemfontein and Western Cape Premier Hellen Zille –who was the first Capetonian to sign. We expect the same support from Premiers and Mayors in other provinces but more importantly, we want ordinary South Africans to sign this jersey because this is our World Cup,” said Zobuzwe Ngobese, the Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.
“It’s a great initiative to be part of this campaign, the President, my teammates, people in the street, my family, all feel equal by giving our support behind the World Cup and Bafana Bafana. Playing part of such a campaign means we’re part of the World Cup too and I hope some of us can wear the small jersey and be in the Bafana Bafana team when the tournament starts next June,” said Brett Evans, the Ajax Cape Town captain.
Cape Town is the third host city to be visited by the adidas truck following stops in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. The Unite Mzanzi Unite campaign is the adidas 2010 campaign aimed at inspiring all South Africans to unite in celebration behind 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and the national team. For this campaign; adidas has created a giant jersey (size 60m x 48m) as a platform and an enabler for South Africans to unite and show their support. The giant jersey is on a tour of South Africa via a huge adidas branded truck. The giant jersey tour will give the entire nation, from school children to celebrities, the opportunity to sign the giant jersey as a demonstration of their support.
“We are calling on all South Africans to come to our truck and sign the giant jersey when it is in their area. By signing the giant jersey, you will become a part of history –this is our World Cup –let’s host it with pride,” says Deborah Miller, the Senior Communications Manager and the head of the UMU campaign at adidas South Africa. “You can also follow the adidas truck by going to our micro-site where there will be daily blogs, live footage and key events posted to continuously keep you up to date. The link to our micro-site is www.adidas.com/unite.”
If you haven’t yet got your signature on the shirt be sure to find out when it is your area:
01 December – 06 December
- Waterfront Clock Tower square: Tuesday 01 December –Thursday 03 December
- Khayelitsha Spar, Flashmob: Friday 04 December
07 December – 13 December
- Isiphiwo Primary School in Khayelitsha: Monday 07 December
- adidas head office in Black River Park: Tuesday 08 December
- Scottsdene High School in Kraaifontein: Wednesday 09 December
- Tygervalley Shopping Mall in Durbanville: Thursday 10 December –Sunday 13 December
14 December – 20 December
- Greenpoint Stadium Opening: Monday 14 December
- Gugulethu Sports Complex: Tuesday 15 December
- Big Bay Beach: Wednesday 16 December
- Canal Walk Shopping Mall: Thursday 17 December –Sunday 20 December
21 December – 27 December
- Mitchells Plain Shopping Centre: Tuesday 22 December –Thursday 24 December
- Muizenberg Beach: Saturday 26 December –Sunday 27 December
“We want to ensure that we go to all the different communities of South Africa, which is in line with our theme of unity in diversity. We will leave Cape Town on the 27th of December and start heading for Port Elizabeth using the Garden Route,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, the Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa
NIKE AND (RED)™ UNITE TO LEVERAGE THE POWER OF SPORT TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS IN AFRICA
Leading footballers join forces to announce a partnership designed to get people to “Lace Up. Save Lives”
London, UK (November 30th, 2009) – On the day before World Aids day some of the world’s best footballers joined Bono at announcement of partnership between NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and (RED).
This unique partnership delivers a two-pronged approach to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa by delivering funds to support programs that offer education and medication on the ground, and will harness the power of sport to engage youth around the world in the fight against AIDS in Africa.
In making the partnership announcement, Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike Inc., Susan Smith Ellis, CEO, (RED) and Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria were joined by footballers from around the world and U2 vocalist and (RED) co-founder Bono, to emphasize the need for global action and participation to eliminate AIDS in Africa.
“The fight against AIDS in Africa needs great brands to drive awareness and engagement,” said Susan Smith Ellis, CEO, (RED). “Nike is the right partner to connect education with sport, and in so doing help drive social change, prevention and understanding of HIV/AIDS. We are thrilled to have them with us.”
Nike has a proven history of elevating global causes to create consumer awareness and participation. “As a global brand and creative company, Nike can play a role in amplifying this important issue,” said Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike Inc. “With football as the catalyst, Nike is joining the (RED) movement to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.”
The Nike and (RED) concept is a simple one that invites people to “Lace Up. Save Lives” by purchasing a pair of NIKE (PRODUCT)RED™ laces. One hundred percent of the profits from (NIKE)RED laces will be split equally between The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which funds AIDS programs that provide medicine for those living with HIV, and Nike football-based community initiatives that deliver education and understanding around HIV/AIDS prevention. This unique partnership delivers programs that both medicate and educate.
Progress has been made in the drive to reduce HIV infections in Africa, with fourteen countries reporting a decline in the prevalence of the disease. This is great news and proves the fight can be won. But AIDS remains one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. An estimated 3,800 men, women and children die in sub-Saharan Africa every day, in addition to 6,000 new infections every day among 15-24 year old men and women.
“The (RED) Nike laces can tie athletes around the world together with people living under threat from HIV in Africa in a beautiful way,” said Professor Michel D. Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Wearing these (RED) laces is a sign that you care about others – and it helps us to protect and treat millions of people who every day risk infection or struggle with the effects of HIV.”
“(RED) has created a sustainable way to engage business in funding the fight against AIDS in Africa on a grand scale. Its partnerships not only deliver funds to buy medicine to keep people alive but also provides the leverage needed for us to demonstrate to the public sector that this partnership works and to garner additional support,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Health of Ethiopia and Chairman of the Board of Directors, The Global Fund. “The addition of Nike to the (RED) initiative will only strengthen this impact as it will help us take this message to millions of football fans around the world and engage them in this issue through their passion for sport.”
(NIKE)RED laces will be available December 1st at Nike Store locations and key retailers worldwide. In addition, (NIKE)RED laces will be available at nike.com for purchase. And additional (NIKE) RED products will be introduced in the coming months.
From a local point of view, Nike will be selling the laces in all Nike Concept Stores, and the Gallery on 4th in Melville.
They will also have a number of athletes locally who will don the laces on field and showing their commitment to the campaign.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Andrei Arshavin (Arsenal), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Denilson (Arsenal), Lucas Neill (Everton), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Seol Ki-Hyeon (Fulham), came together in London today to announce a partnership between NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and (RED).