Li-Ning in the last two weeks has “begun the rollout of the initial phase of its ‘Way of Wade’ campaign” featuring NBA Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade, according to Abe Sauer of BRANDCHANNEL. Li-Ning Brand Initiatives Dir Brian Cupps said that “this portion of Li-Ning's strategy is to recast the brand to American consumers through Wade's personal messaging and involvement.” Cupps added the goal is to "Answer the question: why Li-Ning?” Sauer noted the initial spot “showing Wade's hands-on involvement, along with changing his nickname and launching the Wayofwade.com site accomplishes this.” Li-Ning's next job is “to get the products on shelves.” Cupps said consumers in the next 30-45 days "will start seeing products available at Wayofwade.com as well as targeted retailers in New York and Miami." He added a "second signature product and full scale integrated launch" will come in Q4. Meanwhile, Cupps said of Wade, “He's resonated with the Chinese consumers.” Wade has “visited before and played last year” in two Heat exhibition games. Chinese media recently have “latched on to a rumor that Wade has ‘promised' to play in China after his NBA career.” Wade also will “make another trip to China in July for Li-Ning.” Cupps said that Li-Ning is “working on translating that visit into messaging that will interest U.S. consumers, which might mean a streaming event to highlight the magnitude of the brand.” But despite all of the progress Wade will make “bringing Li-Ning to the U.S., there remains the challenge of being a Chinese brand” (BRANDCHANNEL, 3/4).
