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Obama Basketball Shoe Makes Its Debut
By
Matt Carr
Published Thursday, January 15, 2009
Antonio Ferguson with the prototype for his Obama shoe. When the shoe is officially released, a 44—named for the 44th president—will be on back of the shoe under the NA logo.
Add “basketball shoe” to the growing list of products being marketed with Barack Obama associations. The 44, named after the 44th president, is being launched as the marquee shoe for a new sports brand called Naturally Athletic Sports.
“The product speaks for itself,” says founder and chief executive Antonio Ferguson. “Just like Nike brought out Air Force 1’s in 1984, we’re introducing the company with one of the best shoes in the marketplace.”
Ferguson took a chance in August when he presented the shoe to the public at Magic, a marketing showcase for the fashion industry in Las Vegas. At the time, Barack Obama was just the Democratic nominee for president. Luckily for Ferguson, history has proven to be on his side, which means he hasn’t had to market 72-year-old John McCain’s viability as a basketball player.
Ferguson, an African-American and the sole financier of Naturally Athletic, claims to be the first minority owner of a major sports brand. He says that the Washington-based company has adopted Obama’s message of change.
“We’re trying to change the game in the way people think about retailing,” he says. “We’re putting the product in the hands of the consumer.”
Rather than launching from stores like Champs or Sports Authority, the 44 will first be sold through the company’s Web sites—44shoe.com and Naturallyathletic.com—on April 1. The sites, which he expects to be running in the next two weeks, will sell the first 100,000 sneakers at $44.09—more than $20 less than the expected retail price. Ferguson also wants his company to address social concerns such as childhood obesity. That’s why for every pair of the first 100,000 sold, Naturally Athletic will donate a pair to disadvantaged youth. The offer will last for 45 days after the shoe’s launch.
Aside from the 44, Naturally Athletic also has athletic apparel and another 50 pairs of sneakers in the works. Ferguson is exploring marketing the brand through breakfast cereals and in television shows. He’s also in talks with the Verizon Center to get some of the naming rights at Wizards games.
“We’re looking to make a big splash,” he says.
With a shoe tied to Barack Obama, anything is possible. >> All Washingtonian.com inauguration coverage More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
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Comments
http://www.shoes54.com
NIKE AIR WORLD
Posted by: Cole, Nov 29, 2009 05:56:39 AM
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Youtube search: “The Obama Deception Part 1/12”
Follow this link to watch the 12 part movie on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrpRocaEfQE
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Posted by: ForTheRepublic, Mar 19, 2009 11:21:00 PM
I can’t stand Haters! The shoes are fly and I love the concept!....I’ll be looking in the stores for the shoes and the sweatsuit! Who knows...we might see the athletic pres sporting your stuff one day. Good luck!
Posted by: Sunjasz, Feb 12, 2009 08:30:03 PM
IT SEEMS 2 ME THAT TRYING SOMETHING NEW IS A PROBLEM TOO SOME.BUT!2 FINALLY HAVE A SPORT SHOE AND APPAREL THAT IS REASONABLE IN PRICE.NO 1 LIKES HEARING ABOUT KIDS BEING HURT 4 A PAIR OF SHOES.AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS NEW LINE WILL BE AS SUCCESSFULL AS ANY OTHER IN THIS FIELD. GIVE! IT A CHANCE.
Posted by: THE BARBER, Feb 06, 2009 03:59:50 PM
IT SEEMS 2 ME THAT TRYING SOMETHING NEW IS A PROBLEM TOO SOME.BUT!2 FINALLY HAVE A SPORT SHOE AND APPAREL THAT IS REASONABLE IN PRICE.NO 1 LIKES HEARING ABOUT KIDS BEING HURT 4 A PAIR OF SHOES.AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS NEW LINE WILL BE AS SUCCESSFULL AS ANY OTHER IN THIS FIELD. GIVE! IT A CHANCE.
Posted by: THE BARBER, Feb 06, 2009 03:58:25 PM
A really tight concept, brand identity in sync with what is going on in the world and hopefully a good message for kids and young athletes looking to compete on an even playing field without roids and growth hormone....
Posted by: M.G., Jan 29, 2009 02:02:51 PM
those shoes are super duper ugg muggs
Posted by: Lance, Jan 27, 2009 09:52:40 AM
Good idea, but the shoes are ugly.
Posted by: Nick, Jan 20, 2009 08:01:32 AM
This is one of the most unique and logical marketing ideas I’ve seen in a long time! Excellent brand name, excellent product, and great tie-in to our newly elected athletic president.
Posted by: John, Jan 16, 2009 10:13:40 AM
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