Core77

Nike Better World

By Michael DiTullo - January 7, 2011

in Featured Items

Many of you know I spent the better half of the last decade working in various capacities for Nike Inc. Recently, Nike launched the Better World micro site, and no other external communication sums up more of what it feels like to work there. The site highlights just a few of the efforts going on behind the scenes there. The things they do that they don't have to and rarely talk about. Like most iceburgs, it is easy to forget most of this brand is under the surface. Their vision is not for everyone, but it is a wonderful example of the dogged pursuit of an ideal manifested through brand, product, and experience. Also a nice piece of HTML!

Be sure to check out the video just below the intro: http://nikebetterworld.com/

o

Favorite This
Q
4

Comment

Comments

Jonathan

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

It's just so easy to be a troll and hate on the giants. What great reprecussions, however, for such an influential giant to bestow upon it's young generation. Great move, great future, great ideas... great impact.
!Report as spam
James

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

ya nike is so benevolent.

sorry the whole 'capitalism takes a backseat' thing kind of makes me feel a bit ill.

next we'll be told nike is green and helps the environment.

oh wait, that's the next photo
!Report as spam
adam

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Iceburg!? is that a german city with a lot of hidden depth?
!Report as spam
brando

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

...Also a nice bit of corporate propaganda! The design of the website is sharp and sexy and concise, much like their shoe styling which stands out above other brands. Aesthetics aside, although these efforts towards social change are commendable and voluntary on Nike's part, they offer an obvious public relations advantage in the company's favor. The cost of these social projects must be minuscule compared to the cost of higher wages and better conditions for their factory workers; and in fact these projects are advertising that will improve the companies image and add to their bottom line. In principle there is nothing wrong with this as they are not a charity and must remain a profitable company, but as conscious consumers we shouldn't take their message of good will at face value. If Nike hasn't made real measurable improvements for the worker's who manufacture their goods, than this corporate message is just empty subterfuge.

To be fair, reportedly Nike has slowly been making improvements in regard with greater oversight of their foreign contractors in the developing world. However if they truly want us to believe in their efforts towards social change, then they should offer us the real story of their corporate stewardship; greater transparency in regard to the conditions under which their products are made, and how all those nameless workers are being effected by Nike's great success.
!Report as spam