Nike Inc. announced that effective Jan. 14, 2019, Craig A. Williams will become president of Jordan Brand. Williams joins Jordan Brand from The Coca-Cola Co., where he most recently served as senior vice president, The Coca-Cola Co. and president of The McDonald’s Division (TMD) Worldwide and was responsible for growing brands and beverages categories. Larry Miller, current Jordan Brand president, will become chairman for the newly created Jordan Brand Advisory Board.
“We are excited to have Craig lead Jordan Brand into its next phase of growth globally,” said Elliott Hill, Nike’s president, Consumer and Marketplace. “His experience driving global strategy and growth will help continue to build a premium brand that connects deeply with consumers.”
Williams joined Coca-Cola in 2005 and was responsible for leading and growing the company’s business and strategic partnership with McDonald’s in more than 37,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Prior to that, he held positions of increasing responsibility within TMD, including senior vice president and chief operating officer, vice president U.S., asssistant vice president of U.S. marketing and group director of U.S. Marketing.
Prior to his tenure at Coca-Cola, Williams spent three years in the eye care industry with CIBA Vision Corp. in global marketing. He also spent seven years with Kraft Foods Inc., working in brand management and new product development, and five years in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Nuclear Power Officer.
“It’s a unique moment to bring on a talented leader like Craig and to also be able to retain the knowledge, passion and guidance of a seasoned leader like Larry,” said Michael Jordan. “Larry has helped guide Jordan Brand to long term momentum and helped reset us for the next phase of global growth. We are incredibly grateful for his leadership and I am confident that his knowledge, in partnership with Craig’s vision, will continue to expand the Jordan Brand’s market leadership.”
Miller has served as president of Jordan Brand since 2012; he previously held the role from 1999 to 2006. In the interim, he served as president of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to that, he served as VP, GM of Nike Basketball.
As president of Jordan Brand, Miller helped build and expand the brand both domestically and around the world. His leadership has driven the Jordan Brand into new areas, including the Jordan women’s line of footwear, partnerships with college football teams, an increasing global presence with Jordan stores around the world and a game-changing partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club.
Images courtesy Nike, Coca-Cola
