Classic Commercial: Nike's "Just Do It"

This month marks the 25th anniversay of Nike's "Just Do It" slogan. See where it all began.

words // Zack Schlemmer

This month marks the 25th anniversay of Nike's "Just Do It" slogan, created by the Wieden + Kennedy advertising firm way back in 1988.  Heralded as what "might be the last great tagline in advertising history" by AdWeek, many of you reading this have never lived in a world where "Just Do It" wasn't part of the American lexicon. 

So where did the "Just Do It" mentality all begin?  You might guess with Michael Jordan, or maybe Bo Jackson?  Nope.  The original Just Do It commercial featured Walt Stack, who at 80 years old jogged 17 miles every day. Watch the simple beginning to one of the longest lasting and most inspirational advertising slogans of all time.