Nike's 'You Can't Be Stopped' Wraps up the Year With a Message of Inspiration and Persistence
As the year comes to a close, 2020 feels like a distant world with unmatched sequences of hardships. Nike (NYSE:NKE -0.60%) has taken this time to reflect on the events of the year and sign off with the final installment of the brand’s year-long You Can’t Stop Us campaign. World-class athletes who have been training and gearing up for championships and the now-canceled 2020 Olympics, had to adjust to standstill arrangements impacted by the global pandemic, forming the narrative for the ad.
The campaign first came out in March and featured invited athletes to “play for the world”, offering their fitness tips and tricks on staying active during the pandemic. A couple of months later, Nike released the Never Too Far Down commercial paying homage to the ever-memorable LeBron James‘ 2016 NBA Finals comeback. It was followed by the July campaign of You Can’t Stop Us featuring the legendary Williams sisters, Serena and Venus as the focus of the You Can’t Stop Sisters message.
Some of the brand’s most elite ambassadors including, Naomi Osaka, Marcus Rashford, Kevin Durant, Sabrina Ionescu, Simone Manuel, Leo Baker, Caster Semenya, and Ibithaj Muhammad, appear in the high-energy ad to endorse the prevalent message of perseverance and tenacity in the final installment of the You Can’t Stop Us campaign. Nike’s signature font captions motivational phrases which overlay footages showcasing these athletes’ training regiments and competitive accolades. Of course, a message about determination is incomplete without a nod to the celebrated Black Mamba. Sandwiched in the middle of the campaign are photos of the late Kobe Bryant and daughter, Gianna Bryant with Sabrina Ionescu, an impactful feature to encourage viewers to “Do it to continue a legacy.” The video ends with Nike’s motto “Sport Can’t Be Stopped”, visibly altered to “You Can’t Be Stopped” with the “You” scribbled atop the original phrase in the brand’s signature orange handwritten font.
Although the campaign has ended, the brand will continue to provide new workout and motivational content on its website at Nike, social channels, and apps including Nike, Nike Training Club, and the Nike Running Club.
In other sports news, Roger Federer announced he won’t be competing in the 2021 Australian Open.
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