How did Pre's endorsement of Nike shoes influence the perception of the brand among fellow runners?

Pre's endorsement of Nike shoes had a significant impact on the perception of the brand among fellow runners. As a popular and successful runner, Pre was a role model for many. His endorsement of Nike shoes, including wearing them during races and recommending them to other runners, helped to establish Nike as a reliable and high-quality brand for running shoes. His influence was so strong that even after his untimely death, his endorsement continued to boost the brand's reputation.

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Pre-was a phenomenon; he spent 1973 on a cross-country road trip, going to track meets, colleges, and state fairs. Everywhere he went, people wanted to meet him, and everywhere he went he touted our new Nike shoes. He was our star ambassador, holding clinics, serving as a model for new shoe designs, and sending pairs of Nikes to fellow runners with a note saying, "Try these, you'll love them." By the end of 1974 he was back in top form, smashing American running records and doing it in Nikes. The last time I saw him run was at a meet in Eugene in May 1975. As usual, he was incredible; going up against some of the best runners in the world he went into the final laps of the 5,000 meters in second place, then did what Pre always did best. He dug deep and pulled out some new reserve of energy, powering onward to win the race. The next morning, I got the call: on his way home from the postrace party, he'd lost control of his car, hit a boulder, and died. He was 24.

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Shoe Dog - Anecdotes From Nike

The iconic Nike sporting goods company started over 50 years ago as a ‘crazy idea’ in the mind of a young runner in Oregon. Shoe Dog is Phil Knight’s...

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