That brings us to the subject of globalisation and the question of how American the brand can be. Nike uses a mix of global ad campaigns such as "good v evil" and local advertising, such as its famous poster campaigns in the UK. During a 21-year partnership with the agency Wieden and Kennedy, Nike has created some of the world's most attention-grabbing advertising: for example, their "good v evil" campaign and two advertisements both for World Cups and the ad tag, last year's Cannes Grand Prix winner. ( Click here to watch this ad) Other famous ads star Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi playing in the streets of Manhattan; Tiger Woods playing "keepy-uppy" with a golf ball (Click here to see the ad) and Brazil's team playing soccer at the airport terminal.
It is a remarkable body of work, both in its variety, daring and consistent originality. At Nike there's a streamlined decision-making process that gives marketing directors real power. They do not rely on market research pre-testing which often reduces the impact of more experimental commercials. There is also the long relationship with one of the world's best ad agencies, and what Wieden describes as "an honesty about sport". Things only happen in Nike's ads that sportsmen and women can really do.
"My number one advertising principle -if I have one - is to wake up the consumer," concludes Knight, with an absolute conviction that is unique among modern-day chief executives. "We have a high-risk strategy on advertising. When it works, it is more interesting. There really is no formula.