Several Nike Employees Say They Were Laid Off As the Company Announces Major C-Suite Design and Marketing Shifts

Shoshy Ciment
·3 min read

Some Nike employees have taken to LinkedIn to share that they have recently been laid off from the company as the Swoosh unveils major C-suite changes across design and marketing.

On Tuesday afternoon, Nike announced a slew of new leaderships shifts at the top level of the organization. Nike veteran John Hoke was named Nike’s new chief innovation officer and Martin Lotti was named Nike’s chief design officer. Nike also announced that Nicole Hubbard Graham is set to become the company’s new chief marketing officer, effective Jan. 2, 2024 as Nike’s current CMO Dirk-Jan “DJ” van Hameren retires.

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The news was made public after at least four employees posted on LinkedIn this week that they were impacted by a round of layoffs that occurred last week at the Swoosh. According to the posts, the cuts occurred across talent and product management teams as well as in contracted roles like copywriting.

“After 13 incredible years with Nike, I was unfortunately impacted by another round of layoffs last week,” one post from Monday read. “I am looking for a new role and would appreciate your support. Thank you in advance for any connections, advice, or opportunities you can offer.”

Nike did not return FN’s requests for comment.

According to one of the posts, the cuts were a part of a general reorganization in the company’s digital business.

Another laid off Nike employee shared that she was “one of about 70 contractors” at Nike Brand Creative that was let go.

At least two former Nike employees took to LinkedIn to express support for their former colleagues that have been impacted by the cuts.

“Feeling for my Nike pals and old colleagues today who are in the midst of a massive digital reorg,” read of the posts from Monday. “To those who are impacted, I’m here to lend an ear and to provide introductions and/or referrals if helpful.”

In other executive changes, Nike also officially announced on Tuesday that it has named Amazon’s former head of fashion Muge Erdirik Dogan as its new chief technology officer.

“Innovation, design, and storytelling have always been the heart and soul of Nike. These leadership changes enable us to obsess further our unparalleled innovation, product, design, and storytelling to reimagine sport for the next generation of athletes,” said Heidi O’Neill, Nike’s president of consumer, product and brand, in a statement. “Together, these leaders will deliver new levels of performance, style and breakthrough storytelling for consumers around the world.”

In February, Nike’s global chief digital information officer Ratnakar Lavu — then the company’s top technology official — left the company. Shortly after, several Nike employees shared similar messages on LinkedIn regarding a wave of cuts across Nike’s talent teams.

In the most recent quarter, Nike Digital grew 2 percent on a reported and currency-neutral basis.

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