Sneaker Freaker In South Africa

Nov 6, 2014 | ,

In his book Under The Influence: Tracing The Hip-Hop Generation’s Impact On Brands, Sports & Pop Culture, Erin O. Patton provides insights into the launch and building of the Michael Jordan sneaker brand with Nike as well as Stephon Marbury’s foray into the kicks space with the Starbury. Sneakers have been big business for some years but it is the sneakerheads who take it to a whole different level. Out of this culture, there have been a library of books, documentaries and online platforms birthed, all devoted to sneakers. While the US tends to dominate the space, the sneaker site and...

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Battle of the Football Ads

Jun 17, 2014 | ,

It is the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and, in addition to there being the opportunity to be absolutely gluttonous with football, but the different brands attempt to put their best foot forward to capture our attention and pockets. Football is big business and companies pay millions of dollars to be a part of the spectacle. For the sports brands, the competition is to adorn the bodies - and feet - of the football players in the hope that, if my favourite player is wearing their brand, I will be more inclined to interact with it. Last world cup, in 2010 in South Africa, I posted on Nike Football...

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Adidas’ Stan Smith Is Back

Jan 20, 2014 | ,

I have always loved sneakers but my collection has generally been functional. I'd buy a couple of pairs, wear them till they fall apart and then replace. A friend of mine is a serious head though, particularly Air Jordans, and has a wardrobe with boxes upon boxes stacked. In the last two years, I’ve been gradually acquiring a little sneaker game, building a collection based primarily on nostalgia. I tend to lean towards kicks I wore growing up, including the Adidas Samba and Superstar II (shell toes), Nike Air Force 1 and Cortez, Puma Clyde, etc. The list of desired additions to collection...

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Digital Crates: All Brooklyn Everything

Nov 19, 2012 |

I write every day. I have the kind of job that forces me to, in those moments when I don’t really want to. I have this blog. It also needs to be maintained. I play on social media on the daily, using it to engage, get ideas and share thoughts. I’m not always sure what it is all for … well, writing for Destiny Man, I am clear on purpose … it’s the blogs and social media and stuff that I lose my way with every now and then - often more now than then. Anyway, with the blog, the new strategy is to create consistency by blogging regularly under specific headings, such as the newly introduced...

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Nike Football vs Puma Football vs Adidas Football

May 24, 2010 |

It is football tournament season and one of the added joys of such periods, including Euro Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and, of course, the World Cup, is watching the sporting brands battle it out for our attention with elaborate, entertaining and inspiring adverts. Nike: Write The Future Nike just released its Write The Future ad with football stars including Drogba, Rooney, Ribery, Ronaldo and, ironically, Ronaldhino (who won't be making the World Cup). An edited version is being played on SA television but you have to see the full version for it to make sense....

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