Public Relations

Public Relations main purpose in most company's is to gain public understanding an acceptance. A large of part of public relations is publicity; the effort to capture media attention. What could offer more of an opportunity to increase global awareness than the Olympics. Nike sponsored the U.S. basketball team in the 08' Olympics and in return, the players used Nike shoes and the Nike logo on their jerseys. This was a very effective public relations program for a number of reasons. First, the Olympics is the most watched event in the world. Therefore, Nike was able to advertise their brand to the entire world just by having the participants use their products. Second, people generally react more to action than words. Nike could have made 1000 commericals during the Olympics but how do the potential customers know the product really performs the way Nike says it does. By sponsoring the U.S. basketball team, (who practically breezed through to the gold medal besides the final game) it gave the perception to the audience that Nike products really do perform and even the best of the best at their sport used Nike to succeed.