Reebok Gearing Toward Weekend Warrior

By: Sarah McWilliams

shutterstock_171441017As Nike and Adidas concentrate their marketing efforts and product promotion on elite athletes and most recently the World Cup, Reebok has taken a different approach in continuing with its LIVE WITH FIRE campaign highlighting everyday athletes and weekend warriors.

Reebok launched its LWF campaign a year ago to highlight the accomplishments of everyday athletes who share the passion of not just exercising to exercise, but to live their life with a kind of passion and fire that ignites within. Their marketing across a multitude of platforms expresses that ideal, and their newest product is set to give the weekend warrior a step up on the competition.

Reebok’s LWF campaign has upped the intensity by releasing their new ZSeries footwear collection. By emulating the tire of some of the top sports cars, including the well-known Ferrari, they’ve produced a shoe aimed to allow runners without compromising speed, to turn on a dime just as the top sports cars in the world.

“This year, we are not just talking about LIVE WITH FIRE, we are fueling it,” Reebok’s Chief Marketing Officer Matt O’Toole stated in a press release. “We’re finding that spark inside of people and encouraging them to push harder, to go further, and to do it together. Products like ZQUICK are the tools to help make this possible.”

In support of the ZSeries collection, Reebok commenced a multi-channel campaign by launching the television campaign “Race the City.” The campaign highlights athletes using the ZQUICK shoes racing and beating subway trains, and if you have to let your imagination run a little with that scenario, perhaps that’s the point. It’s all about fun and the freedom to push boundaries, and tapping into the best part of yourself.

“We know that living a fitness lifestyle and living with fire can make people happier, healthier, and has a powerful social benefit as well. Your life ignites and that fire spreads to those around you,” O’Toole stated.

It seems inline with the current goals to market toward this demographic considering Reebok’s recent partnerships with both CrossFit and Spartan Race. While Spartan Race does have its sights on the Olympics and CrossFit has annual championships, both stem from the weekend warrior as opposed to elite athletes.

5A5C0281Teaming up with CrossFit in 2010, Reebok has aided in the swift rise of “boxes” — as CrossFit gyms are known — from 18 in 2005 to over 3,000 currently. Reebok, which has created exclusive CrossFit gear, also benefitted from a broadcast deal with ESPN to air the CrossFit championships annually.

“Today, more than ever, people are making fitness a part of their life. Reebok and CrossFit aim to stay at the forefront of this trend by promoting a more engaging brand of fitness. Together, Reebok and CrossFit will change fitness, and help make people physically, mentally and socially fit for life,” O’Toole stated in a 2012 press release.

Not content with just the CrossFit connection, Reebok, again in the spirit of the weekend warrior, has teamed up with Spartan Race as well. With obstacle racing one of the fastest growing fitness trends and Spartan Race leading the pack, it was a natural partnership that was kicked off in style with a monumental obstacle race in Times Square last January.

True to form, Reebok immediately began developing gear for the obstacle racing community. According to the Spartan Race website: “The agreement would bring with it apparel, footwear and accessories and the Reebok Spartan Race will be featured in the brand’s upcoming global marketing campaign — the first time obstacle racing has been featured in a major campaign. Reebok also plans to develop a range of products specifically created for the demands of Reebok Spartan Race athletes.”

shutterstock_162736274With the Spartan Race creators constantly innovating, and projecting Spartan Race to one day be a contender to be added to the Olympics, Reebok was a natural choice for partnership.

According to a Spartan Race press release in 2013,  “Reebok’s mission is to change the way people perceive, experience and define fitness and empower them to be physically, socially and mentally fit for life. Spartan Race is the perfect partner to help spread this message. Founded in 2010, the race series expects to attract 500,000 athletes in 2013, up from 350,000 in 2012, many of whom are people looking for a new alternative to more traditional forms of fitness.”

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