Jordan's Shoes
The very product that saved Nike was the Air Jordan Shoe. Designed for rookie basketball player, Michael Jordan, the Air Jordans were an instant hit. Although against the NBA's color codeing rules, Jordan continued to wear the shoes. Due to this, the NBA tacked on a fine worth $5,000 per game that he wore the shoes. Nike took advantage of this marketing loophole, which only ramped up its publicity and fame.
"Just Do It"
The famous slogan that is still known to this day, "Just Do It," was first intorduced into the world by Nike in 1988. Just 1 year before Nike reached the land mark of being the top sporting goods company in the world. The slogan was introduced in an advertisement that was showing an old and retired Walter Stack crossing the famous Golden Gate Bridge.
The Swoosh
The iconic Swoosh on the side of the Jordan shoe has been the face of Nike since its design was adopted. It was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student that was enrolled at Portland State University. Assigned to create a logo that conveys motion, the Swoosh was born. Davidson was payed just a measly $35 for the design, but since Nike became a wordwide company, she was given 500 shares of the Nike stock, which would be trading at a total of $45,470 today.
Story
While being in a slump that could very well put them out of business, Nike decided to put everything into a shoe line based around one thing, or person: Michael Jordan. Jordan, who was only a rookie, and hadn't even played, was going to be the last ditch effort for Nike. Fighting againzt other powerful shoe brands, Nike miraculously signed Jordan to a deal. Now, the Jordan shoe is one of the most popular, and most replicated shoes of all time.
