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  • May 2011 (Revised January 2013)
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Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa

By: Elie Ofek and Ryan Johnson
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:23
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Abstract

Nike's Football division needs to devise a strategy to excel at the 2010 World Cup games in South Africa. Nike has gone from a niche player in the market for football apparel and footwear in 1994 to a formidable competitor to Adidas in 2008 (with revenues of over $1 billion for the sport). The case traces how Nike has gone about making this transformation and its activities at each of the World Cups since 1994. For the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, Nike has decided to change its target market focus and to use digital and social media platforms to connect more extensively with consumers. In addition, Nike plans to launch innovative new boots and engage in corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives. The company has to do so in light of competition from archrival Adidas and the pressure of succeeding on the biggest stage in football, with billions of people around the world watching. The case allows students to analyze how a company can best integrate several value propositions into a cohesive plan and how it can best communicate with its chosen target market. It also allows for a rich discussion of the brand image the company needs to portray to leverage success beyond the World Cup event.

Keywords

Digital Marketing; Business Divisions; Communication; Brands and Branding; Marketing Channels; Marketing Communications; Marketing Strategy; Product Launch; Planning; Competition; Apparel and Accessories Industry; South Africa

Citation

Ofek, Elie, and Ryan Johnson. "Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa." Harvard Business School Case 511-060, May 2011. (Revised January 2013.)
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About The Author

Elie Ofek

Marketing
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Related Work

    • August 2012
    • Faculty Research

    Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa (TP)

    By: Elie Ofek and Ryan Johnson
    • May 2011 (Revised January 2013)
    • Faculty Research

    Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa

    By: Elie Ofek and Ryan Johnson
Related Work
  • Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa (TP) By: Elie Ofek and Ryan Johnson
  • Nike Football: World Cup 2010 South Africa By: Elie Ofek and Ryan Johnson
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