Brand pacing from Apple and Nike
See brand run. No pun intended, seriously, but Apple and Nike are pushing the brand envelope. They are jointly extending their customers into new domains of performance where competitors will have a hard time chasing following.
From the announcement on the Apple site:
Thanks to a unique partnership between NIKE and Apple, your iPod nano becomes your coach. Your personal trainer. Your favorite workout companion. Introducing Nike+iPod.
It’s this strategic brand vision that separates the iPod from the ranks of competing mp3 players. Apple is now building 
out an iPod platform that will escalate customers from the mire of low-imagination products. Their relentless whole-customer innovation may cause others (Sony, Creative) to cede lucrative segments, because with Apple defining the race, second place is as good as last.
And yes, Nike-created workout mixes will soon be available on iTunes.
We’ve written about brand pacing before.
(Personally, I’m not surprised by the Nike/iPod alliance. I’ve always felt there was a hidden Nike swoosh in the treble clef.)
Update: minor edit.
