Nike is creating a separate business unit to handle
outdoor products, "an area in which the company lags behind
competitors," according to Richard Read of the Portland
OREGONIAN. Nike is hiring Gordon McFadden to head the all-
conditions-gear unit, called Nike ACG. McFadden is the
former President of Helly-Hanson's U.S. Operations and
former Dir of Merchandising for Eddie Bauer. Nike VP/Global
Brand Management Andy Mooney said that Nike intends for ACG
to "steer its own course." Other organizational details
"will be finalized over the course of the coming year."
Nike ACG will be transformed from a category within Nike to
a "stand-alone business" handling footwear, apparel and
equipment. Nike plans to debut its initial line of
snowboards, boots and bindings in '99, after presenting its
first snowboard apparel line last year (OREGONIAN, 6/24).
Nike named CA-based Good Fast Creative to handle the retail
display advertising for its ACG unit. The assignment has
billings estimated $1-3M (N.Y. TIMES, 6/25).
NOTARY PUBLIC: In other Nike news, the company named
John Notar as its VP/U.S. Apparel. Notar, who was GM of
Nike's European Apparel Operations, succeeds Larry Miller,
who was named as President of the Jordan brand (Nike).
