Ad Catalyst

Ad Catalyst

Share this post

Ad Catalyst
Ad Catalyst
šŸ‘  If the shoe fits…

šŸ‘  If the shoe fits…

This Nike Ad Nails Product-as-Strategy

Jul 10, 2025
āˆ™ Paid

Share this post

Ad Catalyst
Ad Catalyst
šŸ‘  If the shoe fits…
Share

šŸ”„What’s Hot in Advertising Right Now

Stay up-to-date with the latest advertising trends and news.

Content personalization gets hyper‑focused in streaming
From FAST channels to metadata‑driven decisioning, streaming platforms are reinventing ad targeting for true one‑to‑one scale.

Gaming’s ad paradox: massive audience, stingy spend
Gaming captures attention, but ad dollars lag—marketers warn stereotypes and outdated assumptions are to blame.

Inside the political reckoning shaking up the ad industry
Advertisers ditch political bias filtering in favor of ā€œbrand suitabilityā€ā€”a seismic shift shaped by legal and ideological pressure.

WPP’s AI gamble: Huge cost cuts fail to save its outlook
Despite a 300‑million‑pound AI push, WPP slashed its 2025 revenue forecast by 3–5%—what does this say about the future of agency models?


Bite-Sized Marketing for Busy Founders

Running a business and don’t have time for 10 page marketing guides? Doyousocial gives you bite sized digital marketing tips once a week, fast, useful, and 100% practical.

Join now for free.


Nike announces their Sabrina 3’s with this IG ad:

I had to replace my old running shoes.

They were a couple years old, and the soles were nonexistent (I know, I know. I should’ve replaced them sooner).

So, off to the running store I ran (but not literally … I was into running, but not that into running šŸ‘Ÿ).

At the store, a running expert measured my foot, assessed my gait, and recommended the right pair for me.

And just like that, the aches and pains from my worn-out sneakers disappeared.

Because great performance starts with the right shoe.

It’s a truth every sneaker brand constantly reinforces.

And Nike is no different.

So, when it came time to launch their new Sabrina 3 shoes, they leaned into that exact message.

Nike posted this Instagram ad with the headline: The blueprint to a better game.

The image features basketball accessories laid out on a marked-up court diagram, with the Sabrina 3 front and center.

The setup looks like an architect’s desk – complete with pencils, tape, a favorite coffee mug, and even a ball inflator that resembles an architect’s compass.

Paired with the blueprint copy, it becomes the foundation for a great ad (haha, I’ll see myself out 🚪).

This ad works because it zeroes in on the biggest benefit Nike promises: better performance.

And the blueprint theme ties it all together – emphasizing that your entire game is built from the ground up, starting with your shoes.

In fact, it’s a perfect example of Product-as-Strategy: a concept where the product doesn’t just support the brand story, it is the strategy.

The shoe isn’t treated as an accessory … it’s positioned as essential gear.

From the visual layout to the messaging, everything reinforces the idea that Nike isn’t just selling sneakers – it’s designing the very system your game runs on.

The Sabrina 3 isn’t extra … it’s essential.


šŸ’­ Want to leave a comment on this post?

kermit the frog is typing on a typewriter in a room .

Premium members can comment on posts and get a second ad teardown.

Upgrade today for premium perks šŸ‘‡

Unlock Premium Perks


Nike’s ad sells shoes for you to beat your competition.

Walmart steps into the ring against Amazon’s Prime Week in this next ad (with a new marketing move you’ve probably haven’t seen before).

Upgrade to premium to read all about it:

🄊 Walmart v. Amazon

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Ad Catalyst to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
Ā© 2025 Ad Catalyst
Privacy āˆ™ Terms āˆ™ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share