Bandana Fever

Last night, Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., unveiled its latest chapter of the “Become Legendary” national brand campaign, entitled “Nightmares Never Sleep” starring Team Jordan and All-Star athlete Dwyane Wade.

“Nightmares Never Sleep” headlines an integrated marketing campaign debuting the AIR JORDAN 2010 worn by Dwyane Wade in the ad. The television spot takes viewers to another world view of a basketball player’s “nightmares” when dealing with the unstoppable, All-Star Dwyane Wade on-court during an intense basketball game. Wade will be the first Team Jordan athlete to debut the AIR JORDAN 2010 on-court during this year’s All-Star weekend.

“We chose the ‘Nightmares Never Sleep’ spot to debut the AIR JORDAN 2010 and to show how unstoppable Dwyane Wade is as a basketball player,” said Sean Tresvant, Marketing Director for Jordan Brand. “The ad also continues the Brand’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the AIR JORDAN basketball shoe.”

Created by W&K New York, “Nightmares Never Sleep” will air today on major networks including ESPN, TNT, ABC, and in cinemas nationwide.  Print ads will also be featured in Antenna, RISE, Slam, XXL, Dime, Bounce and Sole Collector in upcoming January-March issues.

The integrated ad campaign will also be fully complemented with a digital presence, created by Blast Radius, for www.Jumpman23.com, as well as in-store retail marketing and consumer events throughout 2010.

A Nike ad has Kobe Bryant saying, “I don’t leave anything in the chamber.”

Just days after suspending Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton for the season for bringing pistols into the Washington Wizards’ locker room, the N.B.A. is facing the handgun issue again because of Nike.

The new issues of Sports Illustrated and ESPN the Magazine contain a two-page Nike ad with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant in dramatic black-and-white photos for the company’s “Prepare for Combat” campaign.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games,” Bryant is portrayed as saying. “I don’t leave anything in the chamber.”

Last night, Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., unveiled its latest chapter of the “Become Legendary” national brand campaign, entitled “Nightmares Never Sleep” starring Team Jordan and All-Star athlete Dwyane Wade.

“Nightmares Never Sleep” headlines an integrated marketing campaign debuting the AIR JORDAN 2010 worn by Dwyane Wade in the ad. The television spot takes viewers to another world view of a basketball player’s “nightmares” when dealing with the unstoppable, All-Star Dwyane Wade on-court during an intense basketball game. Wade will be the first Team Jordan athlete to debut the AIR JORDAN 2010 on-court during this year’s All-Star weekend.

“We chose the ‘Nightmares Never Sleep’ spot to debut the AIR JORDAN 2010 and to show how unstoppable Dwyane Wade is as a basketball player,” said Sean Tresvant, Marketing Director for Jordan Brand. “The ad also continues the Brand’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the AIR JORDAN basketball shoe.”

Created by W&K New York, “Nightmares Never Sleep” will air today on major networks including ESPN, TNT, ABC, and in cinemas nationwide.  Print ads will also be featured in Antenna, RISE, Slam, XXL, Dime, Bounce and Sole Collector in upcoming January-March issues.

The integrated ad campaign will also be fully complemented with a digital presence, created by Blast Radius, for www.Jumpman23.com, as well as in-store retail marketing and consumer events throughout 2010.

The national ad campaign “SLAP” stars Team Jordan athletes Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul featuring the players’ journey to team building and success.

Today, Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE), unveiled its latest chapter of the “Become Legendary” a national brand campaign, entitled “SLAP.” This campaign shows today’s youth how important team-work is in the game of an athlete’s life.

“SLAP” headlines a national television ad campaign that is supported by an integrated marketing campaign starring Team Jordan athletes Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul. The ad takes viewers through a series of quick visual cuts and invigorating audio on the players’ journey to team building and success, from the pain and frustration pushing each other to the limit, to the elation and satisfaction that comes with making it out on the other side.

“We chose the ‘SLAP’ ad to kick off the third season of the ‘Become Legendary’ campaign which embodies what our Brand represents,” said Sean Tresvant, Marketing Director of Jordan Brand. “The concept references Michael Jordan’s legacy of team leadership and features a roster of Team Jordan athletes carrying on his gift in the game today.”

“SLAP” will air on major networks including ESPN, TNT, FOX, and cinemas across the US beginning Sunday, October 25. Subsequent spots meant to connect with consumers on what it takes to ‘Become Legendary’ will air during seasonal sporting events including All-Star Weekend.

The integrated campaign is fully complemented with digital presence on www.Jumpman23.com, in-store retail marketing, and community, consumer and celebrity events throughout 2010.

About Jordan Brand

A division of NIKE, Inc., Jordan Brand is a premium brand of footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the dynamic legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan. The Jordan Brand made its debut in 1997 and has grown into a complete collection of performance and lifestyle products. The Jordan Brand remains active in the community by donating a portion of its proceeds to Jordan Fundamentals, an education grants program for teachers.

For more information on Jordan Brand, visit www.Jumpman23.com.

Kevin Pearce has a new shoe sponsor. He’s joined the Nike 6.0 forces. We ran into him and chatted about his latest deal.

“Just came up about a month ago. It’s super cool to be part of the 6.0 program. I really feel like they are doing a bunch of great things over there and moving it forward for a new generation. Kids kind of know that Nike is supporting action sports in a postive way and it’s really exciting.”—Kevin Pearce

ESPN

Paul Rodriguez Jr., who won the bronze medal last year in the X Games skateboard men’s street final, starred in a new Nike SB commercial released this week.

The video, a remake of Ice Cube’s “Today Was A Good Day,” features cameo appearances by Cube and Kobe Bryant.

“I felt like I was able to experience the best of both worlds, because I was able to dabble in some acting and skate, as well as experience the nice catered lifestyle of an actor,” he told ESPN.com. “But, to be able to rub shoulders with a guy like Ice Cube — he’s a legend man. It was great. I was feeling really surreal on the set, ’cause I was like, ‘Man, skateboarding brought me here, sitting in this low rider with Ice Cube, talking to him.’ It’s great, man.”

Rodriguez will compete again in the skateboard men’s street this weekend. The elimination round takes place today from 1 to 3 p.m. And the final is scheduled tomorrow for 2 p.m. at Home Depot Center.