KeJuan Wilkins was named Nike’s Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer earlier this year. In this capacity, he is in charge of Nike, Inc.’s global corporate, consumer, and staff communications.
Growing up in Flint, he had numerous sports inspirations, from Glen Rice, who played basketball for Michigan, to Carl Banks, who played in the NFL for the New York Giants. When he first began his road to become a professional athlete, he was unsure whether he has the necessary skill or would be cut for the major leagues.
He opted to seek a profession in sports management when he realized it was a long shot. It was a field that guaranteed him a career while also allowing him to pursue his love. When he saw an ad in the Michigan Daily, he knew he’d found a golden chance. He gave it a shot and wound up becoming a student leader in the Sports Information Department. According to the University of Michigan, he later interned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then the Lions, before joining the Pistons during the 1999 lockout season.
When Wilkins was about to graduate, he received a call from the Knicks’ head of public relations, asking whether he was interested in a job opportunity there. He worked in the public relations department for five years and then moved on to Reebok, where he worked for two years. Working directly with consumers and its goods at Reebok was a life-changing experience for him, and he learned to appreciate the full influence of communications on company from a national and global viewpoint.
Even though his self-doubt returned as a result of Reebok’s fast-paced and diversified work environment, it prepared him for his career at NIKE, which had grown to become the world’s largest designer, marketer, and distributor of various sports apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories, according to Footwear News.
Wilkins formerly worked as the lead communications officer for Nike’s North America and geography, as well as the Jordan brand. On a daily basis, his work allowed him to assess the direct impact of communication across Nike, Jordan, and Converse.
According to Provoke Media, for him, the value of communication is only apparent when one functions in an environment with vitality, engagement, and a multi-directional asset that promotes performance at all levels. His work at Nike also allowed him to foster change and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the organization’s corporate context.
Wilkins is particularly pleased of his collaboration with great athletes such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Serena Williams on Nike’s connection with Michigan. He also collaborated with the athletes on the Jordan brand project, which he remembers fondly. Nike’s marketing strategy of creating a deeper connection with its audience has always included the utilization of legendary sports figures.
According to retail diving, Nike has previously collaborated with Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, and has also been at the vanguard of equality in sports; classic instances include their efforts in support of the United States Women’s National Team winning gold at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.