'The Hardest Commercial I Have Ever Edited.' How Nike Created Its Split-Screen Masterpiece

The ad required extensive creative planning—and more than 1,000 hours of compositing

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

The best advertising ideas are often simple in concept but fiendishly difficult in execution.

On such a scale, this one might have surpassed them all.

Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” from Wieden+Kennedy Portland brought life to a concept that’s easy to describe, effortless to watch but brain-meltingly complex to assemble.

Using a split screen, Nike aimed to draw unexpected parallels between different athletes from a wide range of sports. The message would be one of unity that bridges all aspects of athletics.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in