Hypothetical Question: What Would You Do if You Ran Nike

[GB72]

I know a lot of people are bored of Tiger Woods related posts but as I was driving home tonight I was thinking how Nike would react if circumstances meant they had no option than to drop Tiger. Certainly I am not aware of any one brand being so reliant on one person and being so tied into to his success or failure. After all, Nike did not really promote any of their other golfers even after their success last year.

Would you look for another 'figurehead' to base your entire fortunes on? If so, who could fill the role. Is there anyone with enough global appeal to carry a whole golfing range?

Would you adopt the Taylormade 'scatter gun' approach and try and get your gear in the hands of as many people as possible?

To the extreme, do you think that Nike would survive as a golfing brand without Tiger? Have they built up enough of a reputation as a supplier of quality gear to survive without their prize marketing asset.

Not trying to have a dig at Tiger by the way just felt it an interesting point.

 

[pokerjoke]

NO NO YES THE ANSWER TO UR QUESTIONS.if ran nike id retire

 

[bobmac]

I think with Michelle Wie, F Molinari, Justine Leonard, Anthony Kim, Olly Fisher, Stewart Cink, Paul Casey and KJ Choi to name a few, they'll survive.

 

[forefortheday]

I think with Michelle Wie, F Molinari, Justine Leonard, Anthony Kim, Olly Fisher, Stewart Cink, Paul Casey and KJ Choi to name a few, they'll survive.

I would imagine that most if not all these players were attracted to the brand due to Tiger (and oodles of cash).They'll survive but if this gets worse for Mr Woods (and I think it will) then the brand gets smacked along the way.

I don't think we'll see him for a long while on a golf course and he might even be up in front of the law due to his "doctors" activities to answer a few embarrassing questions.

Cheat,hypocrite (me too but I don't get paid to tell the world I love my family) and connections to a doctor dealing in enhancements? Not the image you want for your top star.

If the issue with his doctor goes away quickly I would stick with him, if not....

Bye bye for me.

 

[GB72]

I think with Michelle Wie, F Molinari, Justine Leonard, Anthony Kim, Olly Fisher, Stewart Cink, Paul Casey and KJ Choi to name a few, they'll survive.

Fair point but how often do you see a Nike add with any of the above featured? Even after a great season how many Nike adds are based on Stewart Cink?

 

[viscount17]

I think with Michelle Wie, F Molinari, Justine Leonard, Anthony Kim, Olly Fisher, Stewart Cink, Paul Casey and KJ Choi to name a few, they'll survive.

I would imagine that most if not all these players were attracted to the brand due to Tiger (and oodles of cash).

I don't think they were attracted to Nike because of Tiger, if anything that would put them off knowing they were never going to be more than also rans in Nike's eyes.

to answer the OP,
No, didn't they also have Eric Cantona?
Yes, but selectively - get them into the hands of quality players and realistic future prospects.
Yes, but they'll take a hit. (Don't like their shoes, way too narrow)

 

[DMC]

If i ran Nike i would sign Elin up.

 

[GB72]

If i ran Nike i would sign Elin up.

But how many of Nike's target market carry a 3 iron. May impact on their hybrid sales

 

[drawboy]

I think a good answer to this question is. How many forum members carry Nike irons, woods or use their balls regularly. I bet it's not a lot despite Tiger and the others endorsements. I would never think of Nike as a golf brand and apart from their Victory iron range wouldn't consider using Nike golf gear especially the balls.

 

[RichardSanderson]

I'm not entirely sure that Nike Golf would be where they are now if it wasn't for Tiger.

Regardless of what he's done in his personal life, he's still an outstanding athlete and I don't think that should be forgotten.

 

[Pants]

I'm not entirely sure that Nike Golf would be where they are now if it wasn't for Tiger.

Actually, where are they in the market place?

Does anyone know what their market share is in clubs, balls, clothing, shoes???

I can't think of anyone I know who uses Nike clubs. I find quite a lot of Nike balls so they must be used by rubbish golfers like me. Clothing ok, that's what they do. Shoes - again not noticed anyone wearing them.

There again I'm not an equipment tart so what do I know?

 

[User 105]

I do like the Nike brand but I mainly used it for gym clothing, running shoes etc.

I've had a cheap pair of Nike golf shoes, weren't very good and ended up with footjoys after 6 months.

I've got a Nike sasquatch stand-bag which I really like.

As for clubs, the only Nike club I think I've seen in the wild is the yellow sumo driver after they got severely reduced about 9 months ago.

I know a couple of guys who use Nike balls.

I have a feeling Nike golf gear might be more widley used in the US and Asia than here in Europe.

tbh, I'm not sure this whole Tiger thing is going to hurt them that much. I think the bulk of their revenue probably comes from non-golf related products.

Might actually save them a bit of cash if they drop him I bet he's on a fair old chuck of change and you'd have to sell a lot of clubs to make that money back.

 

[viscount17]

my son got me a box of Nike balls but I lost them.

to be fair, that's less an indictment of Nike than of my golf, I can lose any make of balls.

still, Pants, can I have my balls back?

 

[JustOne]

Gillette probably got it in the neck (no pun intended) more than Nike.

Does Tiger even use Nike? Didn't he have something like old Mizuno clubs painted in Nike colours?

If I ran Nike I wouldn't change anything although I'd like to see him back on the course asap. I'd also be making a lot of press statements to keep the brand in the headlines.

 

[Basher]

The only Nike golf gear I have are a couple of t shirts. Bloody good Tech dry or whatever they're called. Work well in the summer!

Played the odd Nike ball, but don't own any clubs, bags, shoes and what have you.

Tiger is an instantly recognisable figure to golfers and non golfers alike. May be hard to market someone in the same way. Paul Casey has done a few ads in the past. (Saw an advertising feature on the now defunct Golf Channel for Nike Sumo drivers) thought he came across quite well. Still, not as recognisable as Tiger.

I think Nike have enough class golfers on their books not to be too unduly worried.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I quite like the Nike one platinum ball (but then I did get two dozen off GM). I think Nike will survive as they are now in the market place, a higher end but middle of the road company. In my opinion, their driver range is poor although the new VR range does look a step up. The VR range of irons are pretty decent but there are equal in their game improver cavity, their mid handicapper version and their player blades. Their wedges are pretty good but its a crowded market and Vokey, TM and even Cally all have a decent share.

I think the place that Nike really score in the golfing world is through their clothing range. Their shirts and particularly their shoes are good quality and sell well. I have a number of Nike jumpers and shirts including a TW model. I haven't any golf shoes but own a number of their running shoes. They don't make bad footwear as that really is the market they've always been in.

Personally I can't see the Woods mess really impacting them in the golf club market but I can see their percentage share on apparel falling significantly as that is really where you see their logo at tournaments (close up of Woods on Sunday in a Nike top, Nike and the TW logo on his cap). Will that hurt them. For sure in the golfing market but given their dominance of other sports its not going to hurt the brand and company as a whole. Will they exit stage left from golf. I doubt it as the A&R on new clubs takes years and so they will already have invested heavily on their 2011 models and beyond

 

[RichardSanderson]

I can't think of anyone I know who uses Nike clubs. I find quite a lot of Nike balls so they must be used by rubbish golfers like me. Clothing ok, that's what they do. Shoes - again not noticed anyone wearing them.

There again I'm not an equipment tart so what do I know?

You must have been walking round with your eyes closed if you haven't seen anyone wearing nike shoes, or nike clothes.

At least 6 of my playing partners have either a nike driver or nike irons.

P.s what relevance does being an equipment tart have to do with this?

 

[Parmo]

I've never like Nike golf kit, for some reason it doesnt feel right.

 

[USER1999]

I know loads of guys using Nike kit, be it balls, drivers, irons and particularly shoes and clothes.

Sammeebee is on here, and last time I played with him it was pretty much all Nike. It doesn't seem to be holding him back.

I used Nike one black a couple of seasons ago, and it was a pretty good ball.

 

[SammmeBee]

Sammeebee is on here, and last time I played with him it was pretty much all Nike. It doesn't seem to be holding him back.

Second best to Titleist on the day though.....again!!