'WHAT IF?' Nike's New Spring Ad Campaign 'What If?' Highlights the Talents of Nike's World-Class Athletes Competing in Sports Other Than Their Own BEAVERTON, Ore., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tonight at 7 p.m. EST, Nike launches its "What If?"Spring advertising campaign, featuring a montage of sport highlights with Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, Randy Johnson, Marion Jones, Brian Urlacher, Michael Vick and Serena Williams. These seven world-class athletes step outside of their own sport todisplay their tremendous talents in sports such as boxing, baseball, hockey, volleyball, gymnastics and bowling. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO ) The six-week campaign provides consumers with images of athletes including Andre Agassi as a member of the Boston Red Sox fielding a ground ball and throwing out a speedy runner at first base, Lance Armstrong battling toe-to-toe with Fitz Vanderpool in the ring and Marion Jones speeding toward the vault and executing a perfect flip. "Nike athletes such as Michael Vick and Brian Urlacher prove each time they hit the field how powerful talent, speed and desire can be," said Nancy Monsarrat. Director of Nike's U.S. Advertising. "The 'What If' campaign asks the question, 'What if Lance Armstrong was given a pair of boxing gloves instead of a bike as a child?" "Our belief is that a passionate athlete's drive to win would translate into success in any sport." "I bounced around from football to baseball to basketball and finally got into endurance related sports like swimming, running and cycling," said Lance Armstrong. "You're the only person out there in gymnastics," said Marion Jones. "All the pressure is on you and you have to perform at a given moment in front of thousands and thousands of people and particularly in front of judges, or what they call a jury. It's interesting, I'd get a kick out that." To create the realistic vignettes, elite coaches and trainers worked with the Nike athletes to ensure authenticity to the last detail. In addition, Nike secured participation from athletes from each of the respective sports to appear with the seven stars. Serena Williams is partnered with AVP Tour Professional Nancy Mason as she hits a powerful crosscourt spike playing against Jenn Meredith and Carrie Busch; and Randy Johnson bowls against the legendary and recent US Open winner, Pete Weber. The "What If?" campaign was directed by Ulf Johansson. Mike Byrne and Hal Curtis of Wieden and Kennedy were the Creative Directors for the ad. All of the sequences were shot in Los Angeles. The campaign includes a 90-, 60- three and 15-second executions that will run from late February through early April. The company is targeting sports broadcasts and youth-oriented television shows on a variety of broadcast outlets. Consumers interested in seeing all of the spots can visit Nike.com. About Nike, Inc. NIKE, Inc. based in 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; Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan(R), which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Nike, Inc. CONTACT: Rob Aldinger, +1-212-367-4438, or Nate Tobecksen, +1-212-367-4429, both of Nike, Inc. Web site: http://www.nike.com/ Web site: http://www.nikebiz.com/

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