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Nike 50th AnniversaryNever Done Inspiring

Insight

From the genius of past ideas, for a message to engage today.

Nike was built on iconic, influential advertising as much as innovative products. From declaring “There is no finish line” to inspiring a generation to dream crazy. The power of Nike has always been about being bold enough to say what’s on our minds.


A collage of diverse athletes, each with motivational quotes and powerful action shots, set against a dark background with the large white headline: NEVER DONE INSPIRING.

Idea

A reimagining of some of Nike’s most iconic ads proves they’re more relevant today than ever.

Trends, references, styles and cultural icons change over time, but messages like “Behind every great goalkeeper there’s a ball from...” and “Who said (wo)man was not meant to fly” feel as empowering and motivating as ever. So Nike remade them with some of today’s prominent athletes and creators, like soccer star Sam Kerr and skating phenom Sky Brown.

To create continuity between the original and remixed ads, the same art direction, composition, and, in some cases, the original copy has been retained. For instance, “Hit the ball as loud as you can” is as true today for Naomi Osaka as it was for Andre Agassi.

The Dream Crazy remix messaging featuring Marcus Rashford has been updated to be specific to the English footballer, his background and story. Marcus is an athlete that transcends sport, using his platform to campaign against racism, homelessness and child hunger. He is the epitome of a modern superstar, one who rises above all expectations.

LA-based Brazilian artist Rafael Dante created the Typhon vs Giannis Antetokounmpo, re-envisioning the fantastical rivalry between an otherworldly basketball player (Charles Barkley) and a mythical beast (Godzilla). Giannis goes toe-to-toe with the god Typhon, the father of all monsters, commemorating his incredible rise in his sport.


Black and white image of soccer player Sam Kerr celebrating, pointing upwards and smiling. Text reads: Behind every great goalkeeper theres a ball from Sam Kerr. A red graphic of a soccer net and ball is on the right.

A woman performs an aerial skateboarding trick above a ramp against a bright blue sky. Text below reads: “WHO SAID WOMAN WAS NOT MEANT TO FLY.”.

A comic-style poster shows Typhon battling Giannis Antetokounmpo amid a fiery, destroyed city. Typhon has serpentine features; Giannis appears heroic, jumping with a basketball. Bold text reads: Typhon vs Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Black and white image of a soccer player in mid-stride on the field with the text: Boys from Wythenshawe don’t just become champions. They champion change. Nike logo and 50 symbol are at the bottom.

A tennis player in action with a racket on a lit court. Large bold text reads: Hit the ball as loud as you can. The Nike logo is in the bottom right corner.

A solitary runner jogs on a red dirt road lined with trees and lush greenery, beneath overhanging branches. Bold text below reads, “THERE IS NO FINISH LINE,” with a motivational message and a Nike logo.

A black-and-white photo of a person with a short bob haircut, sitting with fingers steepled, wearing a striped shirt and jacket. Next to them is a handwritten note with the heading Presented by the Department of the Archives.

A black-and-white photo of a female athlete wearing a USA jersey appears below bold red text that reads BE AS TOUGH AS SHE IS. The image commemorates 50 years of Title IX and includes a small Title IX logo.

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