Nike Taps Experienced Company Leaders to Drive Growth in Global Basketball and Men's Training and Fitness Businesses

BEAVERTON, Ore., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Implementing a new global category management approach to driving continued growth in core Nike business segments, Nike brand President Charlie Denson today announced the appointments of seasoned company executives Larry Miller as Vice President and General Manager of Basketball, and Peter Ruppe as Vice President and General Manager of Men's Training and Fitness. Miller and Ruppe will be responsible for developing and executing integrated global growth strategies designed to consistently deliver premium experiences to Basketball and Men's Training and Fitness consumers worldwide.

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The appointments fill two of five new global category management positions announced in August. The five positions report to Trevor Edwards, Vice President of Global Brand and Category Management, who reports to Denson. Nike is evolving from a product-driven business model to a consumer-focused model aligned with the brand's biggest growth opportunities in core geographic and consumer category segments. The company expects to announce soon the heads of the other categories-football (soccer), running and women's fitness.

"Larry and Peter are two experienced Nike leaders who understand how to build premium businesses through creating compelling product and strong consumer connections," Denson said. "Larry and Peter have exceptional track records in growing Brand Jordan and Nike's equipment businesses, respectively. Their experience will provide strong leadership as Nike drives global category growth in basketball and men's training and fitness."

Nike dominates the global basketball market, with leading market share and relationships with the game's best players. The company continues to see tremendous opportunities in this category, particularly in the U.S. and China. Miller, who joined Nike in 1997, brings to the role a proven ability to drive brand growth through an integrated category focus. As president of Brand Jordan since 1999, Miller has led Jordan through a period of strong growth as it expanded product offerings, including women's apparel, added to its portfolio of Team Jordan athletes and celebrated the 20th anniversary of Air Jordan. Brand Jordan grew revenues 40 percent in fiscal 2006, and is continuing its strong momentum.

In his new role, Miller will be responsible for all aspects of Nike's global basketball business, including Brand Jordan.

Ruppe also brings to his new role deep Nike experience across all product engines. With Nike since 1981, Ruppe has led the company's equipment business for the past six years, driving 82 percent growth in global revenues through improved product offerings and stronger consumer connections. He most recently helped lead the product and technology development of the company's Nike+ category and partnership with Apple. With an initial focus on running, Nike+iPod creates a better workout experience by letting users easily track real-time running data on their iPod, integrate music and coaching voiceovers into their workouts, and set goals and track progress on nikeplus.com.

Men's Training and Fitness represents strong growth opportunities worldwide, across key sports and fitness programs. Men's Training and Fitness is focused on supporting consumers as they train for a specific sport or look for ways to improve their fitness regimen.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.