Nike CEO Mark Parker 親談品牌的最新研發成果

Nike 日前在美國波特蘭總部發表了兩款全新運動鞋 Nike Free Flyknit 及 Nike Free Hyperfeel，還有革命性製衣技術「Aeroloft」和「Nature Amplified」，成為運動界的熱話。品牌 CEO Mark Parker 在發佈會後抽空接受了美國報紙《USA Today》記者 Jeffrey Martin 的訪問，親談這些新款運動鞋及製衣技術。Mark Parker 於 2006 年正式成為 Nike, Inc. 的 CEO，在此之前他曾經出任品牌的球鞋設計師。由 1979 年加盟至今經已度過 27 個年頭，Mark Parker 可謂見盡 Nike 多年發展，對於在今次發佈會上發表的最新產品及技術，Mark Parker 就有以下看法：

Some might not know you joined Nike in 1979 as a designer. With today’s unveiling of “Nature Amplified,” highlighted by the Free Flyknit and Free Hyperfeel running shoes, did you ever think footwear and design would ever reach this point?

It’d be easy for me to say, ‘This was part of the plan — we’re right on schedule.’ No, honestly, no. The thing with technology and innovation, doing what we do, working with athletes, is that there is so much potential. I never imagined back in the late ’70s, early ’80s that there would be as much potential to innovate today as there is. People used to ask me — what more can you do with shoes that hasn’t been done? — back in the early ’80s. I see it exponentially open for more opportunity to innovate than back then.

The foot is the instrument, and in the process, you’re emphasizing what’s natural. It feels like there is less to these shoes, but they’re also more innovative. Critics will say it’s more expensive (Flyknit retails for $160, available Aug. 1, while Hyperfeel will cost $175 starting Sept. 5), but it seems high quality. Your response?

It’s new technology so you’re just seeing the very front end of the possibility with Flyknit, Free and the whole concept of Hyperfeel… Those things are in their early stages. I can see — I can’t talk about it here today — but I can see where we’re headed and it’s incredibly exciting. As a designer, I’m excited. Certainly so as the CEO of this company. I’m a product geek. I’m obsessed with working with product, with the athletes, and to see the potential that exists just with the technology we talked about today is huge. Let alone the things we haven’t talked about.

完整的訪談內容可登上 USA TODAY Sports 瀏覽。