United We Rise: Nike Debuts New Team USA Basketball Creative
@ 5:37 am August 6, 2008Filed under: Market Watch
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LOS ANGELES, Aug 6, 2008 / FW/ — With the Beijing Olympics just weeks away, Nike releases a new commercial spot capturing Team USA’s quest to reclaim hoops supremacy in international competition.
Featuring NIKE, Inc. athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Carmelo Anthony (Jordan Brand), Chris Paul (Jordan Brand) and Dwyane Wade (Converse), the spot captures the essence of the team’s selfless play and commitment to the squad’s ultimate goal, Olympic gold.
Featuring Marvin Gaye’s legendary rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”, at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, the spot takes viewers into a USA Basketball team practice and showcases the collection of star-studded athletes taking part in basketball drills and scrimmages and ultimately uniting as one team.
A two and a half minute version of the commercial aired on August 5 at ESPN2 during the final episode of “Road To Redemption presented by NIKE”. In addition to the two and a half minute commercial, a 60-second and 30-second version of the ad will begin airing nationally August 8.
All versions of the commercial will also be available for viewing at www.nikebasketball.com. The ads were developed with Wieden+Kennedy Portland.
For the Beijing Games, The USA National Basketball teams will wear a new Nike designed basketball uniform that eliminates 25 centimeters of material and reduces the weight by 31 percent when compared with current uniforms.
Nike’s new uniform also features Nike Aerographics, an engineered mesh providing zoned cooling that reduces up to half the yarn, making it more lightweight and breathable. An exclusively designed “We the People” graphic, inspired by USA’s rich history, is also integrated into the uniform.
In addition to The USA squad’s uniform design, several members of USA Men’s National Team, including Kobe Bryant will wear the new USA Nike Hyperdunk colorway.
The Nike Hyperdunk is 18 percent lighter than the average Nike basketball shoe and is the lightest and strongest basketball shoe Nike has ever created. The Nike Hyperdunk, which features Flywire technology, is currently available at retail for a suggested price of $110.
Roberto Cavalli Takes His Fashion House Off The Market
@ 10:48 pm July 9, 2008Filed under: Market Watch
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MILAN, Jul 9, 2008 / FW/ — Roberto Cavalli fans, rejoice! The Roberto Cavalli label is staying in the hands of its founder for at least another year. The Italian designer has taken his fashion house off the market citing the global financial crisis as the reason.
In an interview with Italian financial daily Il Sole 24, Roberto Cavalli was quoted saying that he was not selling for 800 – 900 million euros. Merrill Lynch had valued the company at 1.4 billion euros (about $2.19 billion with the current exchange rate.)
Now, the sale of his company might be off, but Roberto Cavalli’s trip to Vietnam to judge the 2008 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant is still on. The Miss Universe Organization announced July 7 that Donald Trump Jr., Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez, Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe 2004), Louis Licari, and John Nguyen will be the judges for the beauty contest.
As previously announced, Jerry Springer and Mel B will host the live telecast of the 57th Annual Miss Universe competition being held at the Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. The competition will air live NBC (simulcast on Telemundo) from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam on Sunday, July 13th at 9:00 p.m. ET (delayed PT).
Photo above: Roberto Cavalli on the runway, Milan Menswear Spring 2009 season, photo by Lisa Helm
Palladium: The New ‘It’ Metal for Watches
@ 9:14 am April 25, 2008Filed under: Focal Point, Market Watch
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DALLAS, Apr 25, 2008 / FW/ — Palladium, a rare metal that is rarer than most with only an annual worldwide production of 24 tons, exploded at the recently concluded Basel Watch Fair as jewelers across the globe celebrated the beauty of this white, light, natural metal and its unprecedented resurgence in the midst of disrupted precious metal supplies.
A member of the Platinum Group Metals (PGM), Palladium shares the same chemical properties of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. But palladium is unique in that it has the lowest melting point (1,552°C or 2,826°F) and is the least dense of these precious metals. Palladium is also tarnish resistant, electrically stable and resistant to chemical erosion as well as intense heat.
With these qualities, it is not surprising that the most recognized designers of fine jewelry, watches, rings and wedding rings agree Palladium is the Now Metal™. As Kathleen Breski, vice president of Trabert & Hoeffer Jewels, stated: “I’m in the moment, I say ‘let’s do it now,’ and let’s be the first on our block to buy Palladium.”
Venerable brands such as Cartier, Ulysse Nardin, Chopard, Hublot and Parmigiani have already embraced the many uses for Palladium in exquisitely designed collections. Cartier sold every limited edition Pasha de Cartier timepiece, and its successor, the Santos, sold out before release at the Fair. Parmigiani reports they are now using Palladium in thirty-two percent of the brand.
Legendary designers called the metal’s resurgence a historic moment for the industry — a wave to carry fine jewelry and watches into the 21st century. The reintroduction of a precious metal from the empirical chart is a profound opportunity. William Goldberg president Saul Goldberg, Vhernier vice president Emanuelle Aliotti Visdomini, and Ulysse Nardin president Rolf Schnyder are among those praising Palladium’s precious and versatile qualities, and the possibilities it poses for fine jewelry.
Move Over Cinderella, The Shoes are for Hannah Montana
@ 10:29 am April 24, 2008Filed under: Focal Point, Market Watch
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LOS ANGELES, Apr 24, 2008 / FW/ — Inspired by Disney’s smash hits Hannah Montana and High School Musical, plus the upcoming film Wall-E, a new footwear targeted for tweens is being launched by Crocs just in time for summer vacation.
Combining the magic of Disney and the trademarked comfort shoes, the new footwear line allows kids to live out their pop star dreams and the children to sport the endearing attributes of a lovable robot.
Expected to hit retail stores in May, the Hannah Montana line’s “Mary Jane” style is is accentuated with glam glitter and pop star graphics. Available in children’s and junior sizes, ‘Mary Jane’ has a touch of Hollywood glamour.
And just in time for the back to school season, fans will be able to add the Hannah Montana–themed Mammoth Crocs™ shoe to their collection. This highly anticipated shoe takes a cozy twist on Crocs’ original design and features super soft synthetic fur lining that is perfect for keeping feet warm this fall.
Hannah Montana enthusiasts can also customize their look with Hannah Montana rock-star themed Jibbitz™ brand charms.
The Disney Channel hit series, High School Musical, will also be added to this summer’s line up. The collection will include High School Musical–themed Jibbitz™ brand charms with the names of cast members in vibrant designs and iconic logos.
A special High School Musical Cayman-style Crocs™ shoe will also be added to the collection in July. Tweens and teens alike will be stylish and comfortable with these all-purpose Crocs™ shoes made from Crocs’ proprietary closed-cell resin Croslite™ material, along with graphics printed on the front complete with a contrasting back-strap.
For those anxiously awaiting the premiere of the Disney*Pixar film Wall-E, Crocs is launching Wall-E-themed Jibbitz™ and Crocs™ footwear in May. Crocs™ products inspired by Wall-E are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
OP Debuts at Wal-Mart with Rumer Willis, Kristin Cavallari, Christina Milian, Josie Maran, Pete Wentz, Corbin Bleu and Wilmer Valderrama
@ 10:36 am April 23, 2008Filed under: Focal Point, Market Watch
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NEW YORK, Apr 23, 2008 / FW/ — Television, movie and music personalities representing Wal-Mart? Well, it’s just indirectly. Rumer Willis, Kristin Cavallari, Christina Milian, Josie Maran, Pete Wentz, Corbin Bleu and Wilmer Valderrama – all of who will star in the print, radio and online marketing campaign for the junior and young men’s brand, Op will actually be the focal point of Wal-Mart’s spring/summer launch of the label.
As previously announced, Iconix, owner of the label Op, has signed a direct to retail licensing agreement for Op with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The campaign, which will debut in May, is part of the support Iconix is doing to continue to raise awareness of the brand.
The television, movie and music personalities will represent the brand as it launches this spring exclusively at select Wal-Mart stores and walmart.com. The concept of the campaign is “OPen Road” and celebrates Op’s historical open road California lifestyle, which the brand has represented since the original launch in 1972.
The campaign has a classic Op feel with the celebrities hanging out at the beach, at a ghost-town ranch and hitting the “OPen Road” in a vintage VW bus.
Bringing back Op’s signature heritage pieces from the 70s, but with a younger, hipper flair, the seven celebrities showcase the collection in a variety of upbeat, light-hearted scenes. They form a human pyramid, ride bikes and skateboards and play in the surf.
The on-set chemistry was infectious and all relished in their roles as California kids on a road trip, even riding in one trailer from set to set.
Rumer Willis stated, “When you think of LA and the classic surfer beach vibe, you think of Op. The Op collection does a great job representing that lifestyle.”
Pete Wentz stated, “Everyone can wear Op and its cool. Fashion should make you comfortable and that is what Op does.”
The campaign was shot at the Will Rogers State Park beach in Pacific Palisades, CA and Blue Cloud Ranch in Santa Clarita, CA by photographer, Larry Bartholomew, noted for his easy, and relaxed shooting style.
The campaign will continue to follow the Op cast as they head into fall with a back to school campaign that will debut in August. In addition to the campaign, the celebrities will host a launch party in California later this spring and make personal appearances on behalf of the brand.