The first hardware partnership between Beats and Nike has been revealed, and it seems like a surprisingly good fit.
With a Swoosh on the right bud, a Beats logo on the left, and a matte black charging case with Volt speckles and a "Just Do It" message inside the lid, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition transforms Beats' workout earbuds into Nike's distinctive performance styling.
The brands say the collaboration aims to ‘bridge the gap between elite sport and street style’, reports LBB Online.
Beats hired longtime brand ambassador LeBron James for a supporting campaign designed by MIRIMAR in order to help achieve that goal. LeBron takes to the golf course in "Keep Your Head in The Game," and it soon becomes apparent that his skills are more suited to basketball than birdies. LeBron, however, silences the doubters with his brilliant green Powerbeats Pro 2 and relaxes into his round to the tunes of "Easy" by the Commodores. Actors Lionel Boyce and Travis "Taco" Bennett co-star with professional golfer Tom Kim.
“This isn't just a new colorway; it’s a collision of two brands that define performance, culture, and sports – the attributes of today’s athlete,” said Chris Thorne, CMO of Beats, in a statement. “By placing the Swoosh on our hardware for the first time, we’re honoring the shared DNA of Beats and Nike – and celebrating ambassadors like LeBron James who embody both. It’s a tribute to the grit, style, and sound that push people to their limits.”
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Although the Nike Special Edition doesn't have any new hardware features over the standard model, it does make the earphones more appealing to consumers who want their workout equipment to match the rest of their outfit.
It also helps that Powerbeats Pro 2 remains one of the most obviously exercise-friendly pairs of earbuds in Apple’s wider audio line-up, which now includes the AirPods Max 2
After a period dominated by lifestyle and direct-to-consumer style marketing, Nike is returning to sport-first, athlete-led storylines as CEO Elliott Hill continues to refine the company's focus on performance storytelling. The collaboration expands upon Nike's most recent SKIMS engagement, in which it introduced NikeSKIMS, a new brand with an outside partner for the first time.
What to know
• Nike x Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver premium sound that empowers athletes to tune out the noise, stay focused on their goals and push beyond their limits.
• The special-edition earbuds from Nike and Beats keep athletes locked in with secure-fit earhooks, built-in heart rate monitoring for workouts, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency mode, and standout sweat and water resistance.
• In a first for Beats, the brand shares its iconic branding by placing the signature "b" logo on the left earbud and the Nike Swoosh on the other.
• The special-edition earbuds will first become available via an early-access lottery March 17 on SNKRS. The earbuds will then launch globally March 20 at Nike website, Apple website and select Apple stores.
