Case Study: Nike’s “Find Your Greatness” Campaign

Pravin Chandan
2 min readJan 1, 2025

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Today, we’ll do a quick study on one of the best marketing campaigns the fitness industry has seen. Since we are in January, you could gain some inspiration from the campaign and launch your own before the fitness-flame runs out! Make the best of New year’s.

Launch Date: January 2012

Industry: Fitness and Sportswear

Company: Nike, Inc.

Background

In January 2012, as the New Year approached, many individuals set fitness resolutions to improve their health and well-being. Recognizing this annual trend, Nike launched the “Find Your Greatness” campaign to inspire people to pursue their personal fitness goals, regardless of their starting point.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the campaign were:

1. To motivate individuals to engage in physical activity.

2. To position Nike as a brand that supports personal achievement and inclusivity in fitness.

3. To increase brand awareness and sales during the peak resolution period.

Campaign Strategy

Nike’s strategy centered around an emotional appeal that resonated with a broad audience. The campaign featured a series of advertisements showcasing everyday athletes — people from various backgrounds engaging in different forms of exercise, emphasizing that greatness is not limited to elite athletes but is accessible to everyone.

1. Advertising: The campaign included television commercials, online videos, and social media content featuring real people overcoming challenges in their fitness journeys.

2. Social Media Engagement: Nike encouraged users to share their own stories of personal achievement using the hashtag FindYourGreatness on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

3. Community Events: Local events were organized where participants could join group workouts or training sessions led by local trainers or influencers.

Execution

The centerpiece of the campaign was a powerful video advertisement that aired during high-profile events such as NFL games and was shared widely online. The ad featured clips of individuals running in various locations around the world — emphasizing diversity and inclusivity — while narrating motivational messages about finding one’s own path to greatness.

Nike also leveraged partnerships with popular fitness influencers who shared their personal stories related to the theme of greatness on social media platforms, further amplifying reach and engagement.

Results

- Increased Engagement: The FindYourGreatness hashtag trended on social media platforms during its launch month, garnering millions of impressions.

- Sales Growth: Nike reported a significant increase in sales for its athletic apparel line during January 2012 compared to previous years.

- Brand Loyalty: The campaign successfully reinforced customer loyalty by aligning with consumers’ aspirations for self-improvement rather than just promoting products.

Nike’s “Find Your Greatness” campaign effectively tapped into the New Year’s resolution mindset by promoting an inclusive message that resonated with everyday athletes. By focusing on personal achievements rather than elite performance, Nike not only inspired countless individuals but also strengthened its position as a leader in the fitness industry while driving sales growth during one of the most competitive times for gym memberships and sportswear purchases each year.

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Pravin Chandan
Pravin Chandan

Written by Pravin Chandan

I have had a career in marketing that spanned over two decades. Now, I am here to share the learnings from my experience with young marekters

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