There are clubs you can’t belong to,
Neighborhoods you can’t live in,
Schools you can’t get into,
But the roads are always open.
Just do it.
It is fair to say that Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ quickly transcended its origin as an advertising slogan and became even more than a cultural icon – a motivator, a mantra, a way of life for many. The landmark ad campaign launched twenty-five years ago this month in July 1988.
I purchased this poster early on in the campaign, 1991 at the latest. To this day, ‘The Roads are Always Open’, the freedom and inspiration of the gorgeous imagery, and of course, ‘Just Do It’ ring in my head when I need a kick in the ass to get out there and get after it.
Watch the original TV spot that started it all. Read Wieden + Kennedy’s anniversary blog post.