Nike

The world's largest athletic apparel and footwear company, founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Nike's ascent from a small Oregon distributor to a global cultural institution tracks closely with the rise of sports as entertainment and the celebrity athlete as a branding vehicle. The Air Jordan line, launched in 1985, essentially invented the sneaker culture industry. Nike's 'Just Do It' campaign is one of the most effective brand positioning moves in advertising history. The swoosh is among the most recognized symbols on earth, carrying meaning well beyond athletics.

Added by @chloereyes