Is Nike’s Corporate Social Responsibility Just Marketing Genius?
Does Nike really care?
“Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”
That’s the slogan for the 30th anniversary of “Just Do It” that featured former NFL start and #BlackLivesMatter campaigner Colin Kaepernick.
Only 20 years prior, consumers protested outside Nike stores for allegations surrounding child labor and sweatshops.
Did the largest player in the athletic market, with $28 billion in annual sales, really change its tune, or is corporate social responsibility just a really smart marketing ploy?
Change and transparency
Following the Nike boycotts in the 90s, the CEO made a public announcement promising change. By 2005, the brand published a full list of its factories and a detailed report of pay scales and working conditions. They admitted to continued problems and acknowledged the issues while working toward change.
Today, Nike is one of the leaders of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Nike has made a commitment to implement sustainability efforts and is constantly evolving to reduce its environmental impact. While the company is by no means perfect, Nike has a vision that’s explained in its yearly…
