This weekend is a perfect example of how much better Nike is than Brooks for a pro runner. I read all about Kara's pre RNR race, her post race and everything in between. Do a google search for Kara and RNR and you will see all the media outlets that wrote something about it. Meanwhile Desiree Davila runs a far superior performance in a better field and nothing. I feel sorry for non Nike athletes.
Nike does better with apparel, spikes, flats, and used to do better with neutral shoes. Brooks does better with motion control and stability shoes.
Eh, Kara has also been a media darling for the past few years. She is on the most high-profile team in our sport, has graced many magazine covers, and tends to run very well in big races. She's like Ryan Hall in that even though they may not be lighting the world on fire recently, they are very popular and have earned a lot of the attention over time. Also, an elite athlete returning from pregnancy and competing is always an interesting story to which women and the everyday jogger can relate.
I agree that the Nike marketing machine is massive, but you can't expect one weekend where Davila runs better than Kara to suddenly garner her loads more attention. The trouble with elite running and fans is that it is hard to keep up with the athletes year to year when they only race two or three widely covered races, and are experiencing ups and downs in the form of injury and illness all along the way. They need people they can follow, and the apparel companies know that. When Nike or Asics is given someone like Ryan Hall or Kara Goucher or in New Balance's more recent case Maggie Vessey, that has proven to perform at a high level while being clearly visible at big meets/races and fits the all-american image... they will throw a lot of money behind that athlete, putting them front and center. Brooks did the same thing with Brian Sell. He was the "blue-collar" runner who busted his ass to get on the squad and everyone ate that story up. Do you think that Vessey will be getting less exposure from NB just because she bombs in a couple of races (if she does)? No, they will keep her out front in their marketing campaigns for at least the season.
Let Davila show up the big dogs like Shalane and Kara this year in a major marathon, and then let's see if Brooks is willing to put a ton of money behind her image and continually rising performance pedigree. I hope it comes to pass, but again, the marketing folks are picky, and it is just as likely they will choose someone else in their development stable who they feel will bring in the attention of their audience, which, surprise surprise, isn't all elite athletes.
Brooks is a Rock and Roll event sponsor. I'm sure they appreciated Kara's contribution to the Arizona hype.
I like Brooks, but they won't be putting a ton of money into any athlete. Like the RNR series, they have found a way to milk the hobby joggers dry without having to pay for big names, thus creating a higher profit for a far smaller company than someone like Nike. Brooks won't compete for any high profile athletes against Nike, Adidas, New Balance or Asics for that reason alone. They don't see the same ROI as they doing putting VIP Portojohns at races.
well said.
It is sad because everyone knows that if Davila does something exciting at Boston then Nike will buy her away and Brooks will never get the splash. Maybe Brooks knows this and figures it is silly to market an athlete that will be in a different uniform by the time the trials come around.
Oh well, the gallowalkers are happy with the traveling carnival.
RRRR wrote:
you can't expect one weekend where Davila runs better than Kara to suddenly garner her loads more attention.
Maybe not from the media but I certainly expect it from BROOKS. Brooks just took over the #1 spot in running specialty stores from Asics. Asics held this title for 10 years. I read it in several locations. The Brooks PR machine was all over it (even though it only happened once). Why can't they treat their athletes the same way? When you are the little guy you should make sure to let everyone know anytime you get the advantage.
nike for rent wrote:
Maybe not from the media but I certainly expect it from BROOKS. Brooks just took over the #1 spot in running specialty stores from Asics. Asics held this title for 10 years. I read it in several locations. The Brooks PR machine was all over it (even though it only happened once). Why can't they treat their athletes the same way? When you are the little guy you should make sure to let everyone know anytime you get the advantage.
Your post actually highlights why there wasn't any additional marketing: they don't need any. If they're already number one for running specialty accounts, bragging about an athlete's 1:10 isn't going to help.
That is my point. I was at Rock and Roll San Jose and I went up to the Saucony Booth and their was a 12 foot high poster of Molly Huddle. I asked if they had any for the public and receive a regular poster of Molly Huddle. I then went to the Brooks Booth which took up half the Expo, it was massive because they are a sponsor. I asked if they had any posters of any of the Hansons runners. They told me NO.
Not that Nike doesn't know how to advertise, but credit for the buzz around RNR Arizona is more to the credit of the Competitor Group than it is to Nike.
dream crusher wrote:
That is my point. I was at Rock and Roll San Jose and I went up to the Saucony Booth and their was a 12 foot high poster of Molly Huddle. I asked if they had any for the public and receive a regular poster of Molly Huddle. I then went to the Brooks Booth which took up half the Expo, it was massive because they are a sponsor. I asked if they had any posters of any of the Hansons runners. They told me NO.
\
They probably didn't want to be the ones supplying you with your jacking material.
Mantis Toboggan, MD wrote:
They probably didn't want to be the ones supplying you with your jacking material.
I am a 53 year old female. I teach physical education at a middle school. I put the running posters in the gym at school to show young females some positive influences within the running world.
dream crusher wrote:
Mantis Toboggan, MD wrote:They probably didn't want to be the ones supplying you with your jacking material.
I am a 53 year old female. I teach physical education at a middle school. I put the running posters in the gym at school to show young females some positive influences within the running world.
Best post ever.
Mantis Toboggan, MD wrote:
They probably didn't want to be the ones supplying you with your jacking material.
dream crusher wrote:
I am a 53 year old female. I teach physical education at a middle school. I put the running posters in the gym at school to show young females some positive influences within the running world.
. . . and in my spare time I bait Kara Goucher fans under this and other aliases.
Who gives a sh1t
Obviously not Brooks.
dream crusher wrote:
I am a 53 year old female. I teach physical education at a middle school. I put the running posters in the gym at school to show young females some positive influences within the running world.
Here we go.....(inhale)
If you are seriously looking for that poster, I can help. Drop me an email. We want to show young females positive running influences as well, and posters such as this do exist.
Swoosh is for real athletes wrote:
This weekend is a perfect example of how much better Nike is than Brooks for a pro runner. I read all about Kara's pre RNR race, her post race and everything in between. Do a google search for Kara and RNR and you will see all the media outlets that wrote something about it. Meanwhile Desiree Davila runs a far superior performance in a better field and nothing. I feel sorry for non Nike athletes.
Does Kara have a song written for her like Davila ?
Dumbass
Nike robs Brooks of its cupcakes.
BTW, Brooks was #1 in the RSG cat for only the month of Nov in 2010...