SUPER BOWL XLVI: Madonna – Give Me All Your Luvin’ (feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj)

Y3 :: YOHJI YAMAMOTO: THIS IS MY DREAM

To commemorate an iconic decade of collaboration between Yohji Yamamoto and adidas, the notoriously private Japanese designer reveals some insight into his exclusive (and shy) creative process, in a limited edition DVD of 3,000 pieces available globally. Titled YOHJI YAMAMOTO: THIS IS MY DREAM, the half hour documentary follows Mr. Yamamoto and his team beginning in Summer of 2009 and ending a few months later, showing the behind-the-scenes actions and motives that surround his NY Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Directed by Theodore Stanley, this is one of the first times we’ve been provided with a personal lens to the world of the influential powerhouse. Here, an advanced look at the black on black packaging, complete with a handmade cedar wood candle.

SONNY VACCARO "Nobody Promised Me Tomorrow"

If you can believe it, the players in the National Basketball Association weren’t always walking billboards for sneaker companies. Once upon a time, players didn’t have sneaker contracts. There were no sneaker commercials. And Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Converse and every other footwear company on the planet weren’t shelling out millions of dollars every year to get their logos out into the world. Outside of a couple of signature sneakers, it was, more or less, a completely untapped market.

About 30 years ago, all of that changed thanks to the tireless efforts of marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, now 71, who helped create a culture around sneakers that turned some superstar athletes—and even just star athletes—into high-profile celebrities with million-dollar endorsement deals. That’s not all that Sonny’s done, though. Over the course of his career, he’s also changed the culture surrounding high school basketball by holding all-star games that have helped put the spotlight on everyone from Shaquille O’Neal to LeBron James and become one of the go-to guys for basketball commentary.

As a result of all of that, a new HBO flick, ABCD Camp, starring The Sopranos actor James Gandolfini as Vaccaro, is scheduled hit the small screen sometime later this year. But before it does, we decided to take a look at the 10 ways Vaccaro has changed the game of basketball. It’s time to pay your respects to the “Grassroots Godfather.”

He signed Michael Jordan to his first sneaker contract.

This list could start and end here and we’re pretty sure you’d understand just how important Vaccaro was to the game of basketball. As a marketing executive at Nike, Vaccaro helped ink His Airness to his first endorsement deal. Safe to say, that turned out pretty well for everyone involved.

He started the first national high school basketball game.

Before the birth of the Internet, there wasn’t a really reliable way to keep tabs on the level of talent that existed in high school basketball. Enter The Dapper Dan Roundball Classic, which Vaccaro created back in 1965. It lasted for more than 40 years and featured players like Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Patrick Ewing and more. For the first time ever, hoops fans could check out the best of the best in the high school ranks every year. It also helped birth some of today’s high school showcases like the Jordan Classic.

He founded the elite ABCD Camp.

Just about every city in America has a basketball camp in the summer. How then, Vacarro thought back in the early 1980s, could elite players get exposure for themselves, if every Joe, John and Jim across the country was crowding into summer camps? The answer was Vaccaro’s ABCD Camp, which he created in 1984 to help elite players get exposure. And players like LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant rushed to his camps in order to get it. Though Vaccaro closed up shop back in 2007, other similar camps like the LeBron James Skill Academy, which—not coincidentally hosted by Nike—has taken its place and continued the mission.

He got all of the major sneaker companies involved with his camp.

Want to know why just about every basketball camp that’s worth a lick these days is sponsored by a major sneaker company? Look no further than the aforementioned ABCD Camp, which was always sponsored by one of the big sneakers companies (see: Nike, Adidas, Converse or Reebok). These companies used their power and influence over the camp to help get their name out and drill their names and logos into the brains of players who could possibly sign endorsement deals with them later. In other words, the ABCD Camp made basketball camps big business.

He made summer leagues count for something.

Many years ago, high school basketball was played from November through March—and then put on the shelf until the following November. Vaccaro and others like him saw the opportunity for summer ball to make a real difference for many players. So while he was busy running his ABCD Camp, others ran similar camps and summer leagues during the offseason. This helped players improve dramatically and also made college and pro ball more popular than ever as well as people started to connect with players long before they reached the NBA.

MTV Teases New Web Awards Event

Voting categories include Best NSFW (not safe for work) Music Video and Fan Cover

MTV is pulling back the curtain—slightly—on the O Music Awards (OMAs), the network’s mystery-shrouded, Web-only awards show, which will be held on April 28.


Though the network still won’t say what the "O" stands for—that’s up to each viewer’s interpretation—it has revealed the inaugural OMA categories for fan voting, which kicks off today at www.omusicawards.com. The eclectic list of categories and nominees includes music artists like Lady Gaga and Kanye West, music services like Pandora—up for Best Music Discovery Service—and blogs like Gorilla vs. Bear (nominated for Best Independent Music Blog). Other categories include Best NSFW (not safe for work) Music Video, Fan Cover, Must Follow Artist on Twitter, and even Best Online Fan Army.

Though all the nominees are tied to music on the Web in some fashion, the OMAs aren’t focused on a single emerging art form, as the network’s Video Music Awards were when MTV rolled those out in the 1980s. But that’s not the point, argues Dermot McCormack, evp, digital media for MTV Music and Logo Group, who says the wide variety in the new awards show shouldn’t be seen as scattershot.

“We want to reinvent how award shows work,” said McCormack. “I’m sure it is going to be weird for some people. But this is about a confluence of events, and music as a category is at the center of this.”

As for what will happen as the awards are streamed on MTV.com, VH1.com and LogoTV.com on April 28—will there be an arena, a stage, music performances, comedy?—McCormack isn’t saying.

That’s less important, he argues, than trying to get users engaged online, something other awards shows talk about but rarely deliver on. “The OMAs are more about engaging audiences with a few tent pole events,” he said. “The main event is the conversations happening on the way up to, and then the day after, the event.”

MTV has signed three OMA sponsors: adidas, Ford and FUZE. Each brand will receive in-show integrations and will sponsor one or more awards during the show.

Undefeated x NBA All-Star Game x adidas Originals “All Star 2011″ Forum Mid

Undefeated is rather busy these days between new collaborative product and the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. Here we take a first detailed look at their collaboration with adidas Originals on the “All Star 2011″ Forum Mid. The black/white mid top sneaker comes with a suede upper and star details, not hiding its inspiration. The Undefeated 5-Strike logo appears on the in-sole, with further hints on the in-sole and ankle strap paying tribute to the players. The sneaker will be released on February 19th at Undefeated.

Further images of the sneakers follow after the jump.

RUN DMC "MY ADIDAS"

Run DMC : My Adidas from Arthur King on Vimeo.

NIKE TACKLES NFL'S APPAREL CONTRACT

Replaces Reebok as Official Uniform Supplier in Deal Worth $175 Million

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Nike has come up with a huge interception.

The world's biggest sports-apparel company is throttling its closest competitor when it comes to America's most popular sport, as Nike will replace Adidas AG's Reebok as the official uniform supplier for the National Football League starting in 2012.

The NFL made the announcement this morning in Chicago.

Reebok's 10-year, $250 million deal expires in April of 2012. Executives close to the league say the new five-year deal with Nike is in the $35 million range, annually. Nike will be the official uniform provider and will produce all on-field apparel including game uniforms and base layer, as well as sideline personnel apparel and fan gear.

Both Under Armour and Adidas/Reebok were battling Nike for the coveted game-uniform contract, and while it made sense for Under Armour to try to get in on the deal -- Baltimore-based UA is already heavily associated with the league due to its workout gear and commercials that featured Baltimore Ravens star Ray Lewis -- it probably made more sense for Reebok to get out.

Adidas, which took over the National Basketball Association uniform deal from Reebok after acquiring the company in 2006, has been repositioning Reebok as more of a fitness apparel and shoe company. Canton, Mass.-based Reebok recently made its first foray back into the sneaker-endorsement business by signing University of Kentucky star and Washington Wizards draftee John Wall to a five-year, $25 million deal. And it nearly tripled its market share in women's footwear in the last year with its ZigTech training line and the Easy Tone sneaker brand for women that the company says tones legs and buttocks while walking.

Adidas AG CEO Herbert Hainer told CNBC on Sept. 29 that "If we lose the NFL, it won't make or break our company."

That remains to be seen. Bloomberg News reported that Citigroup analyst Kate McShane wrote in an investor's note that Reebok's NFL license represents about $350 million of its $565 million U.S. apparel revenue.

The league also announced new deals and renewals with six other apparel sponsors.

New Era will be the official on-field headwear supplier and will produce headwear for the sidelines and for fans.

Under Armour will continue as the official sponsor of the NFL Scouting Combine. Under Armour will outfit combine participants and also offer combine apparel beginning in 2012.

GIII will continue as a key apparel partner manufacturing fan gear, including outerwear and lifestyle collections for men and women.

VF will continue as a key apparel partner manufacturing fan gear, including T-shirts and fleece.

Outerstuff will continue as the NFL's youth apparel provider.

And '47 Brand will produce headwear for fans.

"We have spent considerable time the past few years rigorously evaluating our apparel business," Eric Grubman, the NFL's exec VP-ventures and business operations, said in a statement. "The new framework will provide fans with a wider breadth of merchandise from global category leaders in the sports licensed apparel industry."

Nike's stock briefly traded at an all-time high of $83.40 a share this morning following the news.

RUN DMC BY JANETTE BECKMAN

LA, don't miss this!!! Janette Beckman has documented the beginnings of both the punk and hip-hop scenes by capturing some of the most talented and inspiring musicians of our time. She is working with Project Space in Los Angeles for her exhibition, “Archive of Attitude” where she will display her work with iconic pioneers from The Sex Pistols and The Clash to Run DMC and Easy E. LOVE is music. LOVE is culture.

Janette Beckman-“Archive of Attitude”

8/13 - 9/5

603 North La Brea Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90038
 
Check out how RUN has the "I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT THIS PHOTO SHOOT" attitude. CLASSIC...

ADIDAS ORIGINALS :: MAYER HAWTHORNE AT THE HVW8 + DESIGN GALLERY

adidas Originals presents an Original performance by Mayer Hawthorne and The County at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery.

Mayer Hawthorne is the new school soul sensation who counts his musical influences with the likes of Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White, but draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr.

Audience in attendance included various members of LA industry tastemakers and VIP retail accounts. Attendees walked through the front of the gallery and were treated to custom silk-screened tee-shirts featuring Mayer Hawthorne and adidas graphics, and art installations by emerging artists.

Guests were directed to the back of the building to the parking lot which was transformed into an open air pop up performance venue complete with a stage, white walls and black astro turf. Large-scale artwork was hung on these walls and adidas branded display pedestals showcased adiRise shoes. 20 pairs of adiRise shoes were strung up on a large wire that spanned the width of the stage in alternating grey and white colors, while a massive backdrop featured adidas and Mayer Hawthorne graphics. A viewing area equipped with a plasma television provided entertainment for those interested in the World Cup. Crown Royale and DJ House Shoes played before and after Mayer Hawthorne and The County performed four of their most well-known songs. All guests indulged in delicious soul food from Chef Alisa Reynolds and drinks were provided by Aashi beer, smartwater/vitaminwater, Hansen’s, and Vita Coco.

Notable guests included: DJ Jedi of Digable Planets, Hawthorne Hunters, Krondon, Noelle, Jamaal Layne, V. Money, Nia Andrews, Gaslamp Killers & Jamal, Joyrich and Lovemade representatives.

ADIDAS X STAR WARS X WORLD CUP 2010

Ever wonder where David Beckham, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg, Franz Beckenbauer, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Ciara, Jay Baruchel, DJ Neil Armstrong go to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup? The Mos Eisley Cantina of course.

Here is the latest chapter in the viral series that mashes-up Adidas Originals and Star Wars.

EVERY TEAM NEEDS: THE LIONHEART - LAMPARD ADIDAS FOOTBALL

ADIDAS ORIGINALS :: STAR WARS COLLECTION

Y-3 SPRING/SUMMER CAMPAIGN

ADIDAS TAKES ITS BIG CELEBRITY HOUSE PARTY TO THE STREET

Adidas's house party is continuing. The brand's earlier star-studded video, released in November 2008, has gotten worldwide attention, not to mention a Simpsons parody. Now, agency Sid Lee has moved the party out into the street, but some things remain the same. David Beckham is still there, though he looks a bit more hirsute this time, and DJ Pilooski is still spinning the tunes, though this time he's playing his rendition of Dee Edwards's "Can't There Be Love" (and no, there's nothing wrong with your YouTube feed, that's the way the song goes). Snoop Dogg is a new addition, as are Noel Gallagher of Oasis and lots of people I'm too old to recognize. Once again, it's a fine piece of advertising, making Adidas's Originals line seem both of-the-moment and retro, athletic and leisurely.

ADIDAS :: GOLDEN BALL

David Beckham might have been ruled out of the World Cup finals with injury but England will still have a golden ball (singular) in their sights in South Africa.

Today, adidas unveil the ball that will be used in the World Cup final on Sunday 11 July at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. The adidas Jo’bulani is a one-off gold-coloured version of the official tournament ball, the Jabulani.

It is the second time that adidas has designed a special ball for the final, after the Teamgeist Berlin ball was used in the final between Italy and France in 2006.

RYAN LESLIE x ADIDAS = "IS IT REAL LOVE"

The fourth and final video from Ryan Leslie's Adidas Original series.

RYAN LESLIE: "WHEN I THINK ABOUT LOVE" (ADIDAS ORIGINALS)

This is a new song from ryan leslie and Adidas Originals collaboration

RYAN LESLIE X ADIDAS = FASHIONABLE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Ryan Leslie x adidas Originals "Help Your Hood - Get Free Adidas" from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.



Ryan Leslie x adidas Originals - "When I Think About Love" from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.



Ryan Leslie's Adidas Neighborhood Intro from Ryan Leslie on Vimeo.

This month, Adidas Originals partnered with GlobalGrind.com to promote the Adidas Originals Neighborhood. To commemorate the collaboration, Ryan Leslie will be providing four video updates to Global Grind. Here is his first and second entries in that series – introducing his ‘hood and asking people to tell him what they are doing in their hood to make it better.

By contacting Ryan Leslie via twitter (@ryanleslie - using the tag #RyanAdidas) informing him what you are doing to make your community better, he will then select 2 of the best answers to give away a free pair of Adidas sneakers and/or a jacket on behalf of himself, Adidas and GlobalGrind.com. You can also leave longer answers in his comments section on his personal site http://www.ryanleslie.com/ or on his Global Grind blog profile. Ryan Leslie will be hands on with this campaign by reading the entries.

As for the virtual neighborhood, for the first time in footwear history, Adidas created an online experience triggered by their exclusive collection of sneakers, the Adidas Originals AR Game Pack. Using AR technology combined with your computer, the adidas Neighborhood will come to life, unlocking an introduction from Ryan Leslie himself.

Ryan Leslie shot the Adidas online spot last fall in the UK and it is currently running on the Adidas Originals website.

ADIDAS 2010 WOMEN'S SPRING LOOK BOOK

The spring 2010 video lookbook for Adidas Originals features a bunch of sexy models and celebrity women videotaping each other while shaking their groove thing...lol. Agyness Deyn, Ana Ivanovic, Cassandra Steen, Hyori Lee, Whitney Port, Tallulah Morton, Ciara, Cheer Chen, and Adrienne Bailon all get their groove on and even Mark “The Cobrasnake” makes appearance.

RUN DMC x ADIDAS: IT STARTED IN THE STREETS

In the early to mid-80s, people were only wearing and looking for sneakers that were popular and simple. This was also the time that the style tide changed from punkish to people wearing things a little more sexy, like leather shoes or suede Pumas. Just in the area of Hollis (Queens, NY) people were wearing different types of sneakers and starting to spend more money on kicks. Some way [Shelltoes] just got into our neighborhood and we put them on our feet and the world responded. We were in the midst of something. It’s like if there was a new word out like, “You perpetratin’ a fraud,” I’d be the first to say it on a record. I was so connected to making music that the second a new thing, or thought or some phrase that somebody from Hollis said, I had it on a record before it became extra cool. It was like, “What are those?” Before they could break, I’m breakin’ them. When it starts to smell like a hood thing, it’s already under my foot, ‘cus I got a record deal and I’m extra cool. Now you learning about Adidas real quick ‘cus we chose them. Now that we chose them, you chose them and they exploded and it helped their brand and in the end helped me launch my own sneaker company.

The next step in wearing the sneaker was the way we rocked them. I guess it was the extreme hood-flavor that people knowing that guys coming straight from jail wore them with no shoestrings for whatever reason. Then they used to try to call them “felon shoes” and they recognized that they didn’t let you have shoestrings in jail, ‘cus you might hang yourself, I heard. Run-DMC was extremely cool. We wore the sneakers the way that we emulated Jam Master Jay’s closest homeboy or Jay himself, ‘cus that’s how cool he was. It came straight from one of our ideas or our homeboy’s ideas. The look became mass marketed because we were so connected to big record deals.

When questioned if I had problems with the sneaker staying on my feet because we sometimes didn’t wear the laces I say, “Not one.” It wasn’t even a question. The sneaker didn’t come off our feet. For whatever reason, it was magic, I don’t know. It wasn’t an issue for us, or the rest of the world. I don’t ever remember thinking, “I shouldn’t wear my shoes with no shoestrings.”

Our gear was a natural fit for us, there was no dress code. Just like y’all do now, we were cool, we knew what to do. We were fashion forward, knew how to dress and it was about however we felt it should be rocked. We were in control and extremely confidant. If [we rocked them] with the Adidas suit you saw us in, fine; if it was the leather pair of pants, fine; a pair of Lee’s fine. It was whatever we thought. We were just that dope.

-Rev Run