The "marketing wheels at Nike Inc. are still grinding away
with bizarre, if not spectacular promotions," writes George
Lazarus of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Their plan for the U.S. Open
will be "capping off" Manhattan's Trump Tower with a "supersized
bandanna" similar to that worn by Andre Agassi. It will have the
Nike logo and will reportedly go up just prior to the start of
the two-week tournament. Agassi, coming off a successful summer,
is one of Nike's "most prominent spokespersons," and is said to
be in the midst of a 10-year, $100M deal with the company (George
Lazurus, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/21). The Open could provide Nike "a
big lift in its effort to get more of the $170 million spent each
year on tennis apparel." Nike will have Monica Seles, Mary
Pierce, Agassi, and Pete Sampras wearing their apparel (W.D.
Murray, BLOOMBERG/OREGONIAN, 8/18).
MORE NIKE: Nike's entertainment promotions division is
"expanding significantly and relocating" to Marina del Rey's
business center from Culver City, CA. The division leased about
24,000-square feet -- 16,000 for a "creative office" -- for
eight years (Brad Berton, L.A. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/13 issue).
Nike has selected the Leap Partnership, Chicago, as the first
agency for its Nike Town account, according to AD AGE. Billings
were not disclosed. The first ads appear in 2-3 months (AD AGE
ONLINE, 8/21). Univ. of MN Marketing Dir Pat Forceia met with
Nike officials Thursday. The Gophers' current deal is with Apex
(Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/21). NOT ALL GOOD PRESS: Nike
is criticized by Mark Kriegel of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS for not
supporting an inner-city NYC basketball tournament. Nike had
reportedly signed a deal to sponsor a tournament run by New York
playground legend Earl Manigault. Kriegel writes that Nike never
came through on the deal (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/20).
