The Marketing Genius Behind Nike: Greg Hoffman | E150

This episode is part of our USA series, over the coming weeks you will get to see some incredible conversations with guests the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Bringing more value, more incredible stories, and more world-beating expertise. Greg Hoffman is the former Chief Marketing Officer at Nike, and the author of Emotion By Design, a book about how to find emotional ways to tell business stories and connect your ideas through creative storytelling. Topics: 0:00 Intro 01:29 Childhood, racism and finding your voice 15:19 What makes Nike successful? 24:50 How to create a winning work culture 31:07 How do you incentivize risk? 34:56 Necessity sparks innovation 41:34 Creating emotional connections 45:41 Finding the right story & branding to make your business succeed 55:03 Attention to detail 57:51 Advice to become a successful marketer 01:04:39 Finding out about your biological family 01:14:21 Our last guest’s question Greg’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotion-Design-Creative-Leadership-Lifetime/ Greg: https://www.instagram.com/ghoff70/ Listen on: Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-by-steven-bartlett/id1291423644 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX FOLLOW ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveBartlettSC Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-bartlett-56986834/ Sponsors: Huel - https://my.huel.com/Steven Craftd - https://bit.ly/3JKOPFx Vodafone Business - https://bit.ly/3NIM35n https://bit.ly/3AuPKsA Location courtesy of The Nightfall Group: www.nightfallgroup.com

Greg HoffmanguestSteven Bartletthost

Jun 9, 20221h 20mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: June 9, 2022
Duration: 1h 20m
Channel: The Diary of a CEO
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

This episode is part of our USA series, over the coming weeks you will get to see some incredible conversations with guests the likes of which we’ve never seen before. Bringing more value, more incredible stories, and more world-beating expertise. Greg Hoffman is the former Chief Marketing Officer at Nike, and the author of Emotion By Design, a book about how to find emotional ways to tell business stories and connect your ideas through creative storytelling. Topics: 0:00 Intro 01:29 Childhood, racism and finding your voice 15:19 What makes Nike successful? 24:50 How to create a winning work culture 31:07 How do you incentivize risk? 34:56 Necessity sparks innovation 41:34 Creating emotional connections 45:41 Finding the right story & branding to make your business succeed 55:03 Attention to detail 57:51 Advice to become a successful marketer 01:04:39 Finding out about your biological family 01:14:21 Our last guest’s question Greg’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emotion-Design-Creative-Leadership-Lifetime/ Greg: https://www.instagram.com/ghoff70/ Listen on: Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-by-steven-bartlett/id1291423644 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX FOLLOW ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveBartlettSC Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-bartlett-56986834/ Sponsors: Huel - https://my.huel.com/Steven Craftd - https://bit.ly/3JKOPFx Vodafone Business - https://bit.ly/3NIM35n https://bit.ly/3AuPKsA Location courtesy of The Nightfall Group: www.nightfallgroup.com

SPEAKERS

Greg Hoffman
guest
Steven Bartlett
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, featuring Greg Hoffman and Steven Bartlett, The Marketing Genius Behind Nike: Greg Hoffman | E150 explores nike’s Creative Rebel: Greg Hoffman On Authentic, Risk-Driven Branding Former Nike CMO and VP of Global Brand Innovation Greg Hoffman shares how a childhood shaped by racism, adoption, and outsider status forged his obsession with art, sport, and inclusive storytelling. Over nearly 30 years at Nike, he helped turn the brand into a cultural force by anchoring everything in athlete service, emotional resonance, and uncompromising authenticity. He explains why brands must avoid “chasing cool,” how to build radical creative collaboration inside large organizations, and how constraints often produce the boldest ideas. The conversation also turns deeply personal as Hoffman recounts discovering his birth family via 23andMe and navigating complex family dynamics and identity.

RELATED EPISODES