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Just Don't Do It: Nike Converse Sign Up Ian Curtis For New Ad Campaign

28th February 2008 | by Mark Thomson

Converse, the Nike-owned sports brand immortalised by indie kids everywhere, is set to launch a new global advertising campaign which will feature deceased Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.

Converse Inc. which is celebrating its centennial year, will use monochrome ads featuring past and present icons from the worlds of music, art, sports and fashion, including actor James Dean, journalist Hunter S Thompson and Sex Pistols punk rocker Sid Vicious.

Also featuring are present-day stars including Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong, basketball player Dwyane Wade and Yeah Yeah Yeah's lead singer Karen O.

Geoff Cottrill, chief marketing officer at Converse, said in a press release: "Converse is the footwear company that was first in sports and first in rock 'n' roll... Connectivity is an exceptional global campaign that fully captures our spirit and brand ethos celebrating true originals.

"The campaign is bold and iconic saluting those people – past and present – who push the boundaries of creativity, who inspire originality and who embody the values of the brands."