s revolutionizing the way people run, creating
in its first year, the world's largest online running destination at
nikeplus.com. Nike+ runners have logged over 22 million miles on
nikeplus.com, the equivalent of completing more than 800,000 New York
City marathons and burning off the calories of more than 5 million
slices of pizza. New nikeplus.com features being introduced this summer
will enhance the experience even more, offering runners new ways to
challenge each other and participate in “virtual” marathons.
“Nike+ is changing the running experience. It's a great motivational
tool to get people out for a run. It's attracting and connecting
thousands of new runners each day, with members from more than 160
countries,” said Trevor Edwards, Nike's Vice President of Global Brand
and Category Management. “It started as a simple idea and has quickly
become the world's largest networking place for runners. Whether their
goal is fitness, fun or a cause, runners of all levels are embracing
Nike+ and nikeplus.com to become part of a global running community.”
New functionality on nikeplus.com, available this summer, will include a
challenge feature that provides users with more options and enhanced
customization tools. Users can choose their own challenge theme, set
their own rules, and select the number of participants and team names.
Now, they will be able to upload their own pictures to highlight their
challenges on the nikeplus.com homepage.
The Nike+ community is fueled through Nike Sport Music. Nike+ is
inspiring runners by creating a growing collection of original ultimate
running soundtracks. This new music content category is delivering
unique mixes and expert coaching from the world's best artists and
athletes. Collaborations include original work from artists like The
Crystal Method, OK Go and Aesop Rock. Nike Sport Music offerings are
sold via the iTunes Store in 22 countries. As Nike+ usage continues to
grow globally, more Nike Sport Music products are planned to keep the
community running to new and inspirational beats.
“Running with music is more fun and helps motivate me to get off my
butt, get out of bed and hit the road,” said Nike+ user Stephanie
Lacombe, who is currently featured on nikeplus.com. “I run with my
friends, map my own runs, send out challenges, and I check out my latest
stats on nikeplus.com. It's also exciting to be in so much better shape
than when I started.”
Another new feature introduced this summer allows runners to participate
in virtual marathons. For example, while the actual Nike Women's
Marathon in San Francisco this October already is sold out, women can
still run the race anywhere, by using Nike+ and participating online in
the event. Other new features include the Nike+ Distance Club where
runners need to achieve 100, 500, or 1000 miles to be initiated into the
club, and a Weekly Poll added to the forums to learn more about our
Nike+ users.
Nike is the global leader in running, and Nike+ has helped bring energy
to the company's entire running category. During its recent fiscal 2007
fourth quarter earnings conference call, the company reported that
Nike's Bowerman Series are up 20 percent globally year over year, and
Nike's Zoom Vomero 2 was one of the top-selling shoes in running
specialty shops in June.
During the past 18 months, Nike running shoes have earned nine Editor's
Choice awards from Runner's World magazine, including International Shoe
of the Year for the Air Pegasus.
Launched last year in partnership with Apple, Nike+ lets your iPod® nano
talk to Nike+ enabled running shoes through the wireless Nike+iPod
Sport Kit. Data on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on
your nano and is easily downloaded through iTunes to nikeplus.com.
NIkeplus.com users not only can track their own data, but also challenge
others and participate in online forums.
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading
designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear,
apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and
fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse
Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel
and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and
distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, a leading designer and
marketer of luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Hurley
International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports
and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands
Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for
the value retail channel.