What If Nike Was a Bank: Episode 1

What if the world’s biggest brands ditched their line of business and tried something entirely different?

What would their ads look like if they changed the product, but not the spirit? What would the main message of those ads be?

That’s what “What if Brands Switched Careers” is all about — reimagining the most iconic brands in totally unrelated industries, and stretching their identity into new territories.

In each edition, we’ll take one brand and show what it could look like if they did something else. If that sounds cool consider subscribing so you don’t miss any updates!

Today’s Brand: Nike

Ah, the brand that told us to “Just Do It”. But instead of running shoes, they’re running your bank, and instead of deadlifts they were helping you set a new PR in deposits.

Well, it honestly doesn’t sound that bad in our head to have our bank account come with a side of chest-thumping motivation.

Let’s put Nike in a new pair of shoes, shall we?

Ad Concept 1: JUST FUND IT

Tagline: “Just Fund It”

Scene: A runner at the starting blocks. The camera zooms in on their muscles tensed. The gun fires — except instead of running, they sprint toward an ATM.

Voiceover: “Every second you hesitate, someone else is making money. Just Fund It!”

Ad Concept 2: If You’re Not Investing, You’re Losing

Tagline: Watching isn’t winning

Scene: A player sits on the sidelines, watching their team win. Next shot: someone watching the stock market go up as if it’s a match and celebrating the market’s trajectory, though having no investments to benefit from (shown through a shot of his investment account).

Voiceover: “Watching isn’t winning. Get in the game.”

Ad Concept 3: “Slow And Steady Wins The Race”

Tagline: Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Scene: A man walks into a gym with headphones in. He steps onto the treadmill. he taps the incline button: 1%… 2%… 3%… 4%. He doesn’t run. He just walks. Then in the next shot, the following text appears “4% APY with Nike Bank”

Voiceover:
“Some people chase fast gains. Others just turn up the incline to 4%. Calm. Consistent. Reliable. Get 4% APY with Nike.”

Tagline: Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Ad Concept 4: No Interest in Excuses

Tagline: No Interest in Excuses

Scene:

A split screen:

Left side — a guy sleeps in and hits snooze, going back to sleep
Right side — a woman wakes wakes up, goes to her laptop and starts grinding

Fast forward 6 months later:

He’s checking flight prices with a disappointed look on his face
She’s booking at the airport, just landed at a dream destination

Voiceover:

“Every time you say ‘not today,’ you’re paying with your dreams. There’s no interest in excuses. Nike Bank.”

The Wrap-Up

So… would we trust Nike with our money?

If it meant overdrafts came with pep talks and saving felt like setting a personal record? Honestly — why not!

When a brand knows how to move people, it doesn’t really matter what it’s selling.

That’s the whole point of this series. To show you that a strong brand can change industries without changing tone.

And we’re just getting started. Next time, we’re giving another iconic brand a total career pivot. Will you be here to see it?

Hit that subscribe button. Just do it!