On 30 December Brooks Running released aa new spot called ‘Run Happy with Brooks Running’ which explored the question ‘what does it mean to be a runner?’ and championed the diversity and inclusivity of running.
The creative championed the brand’s belief that ‘if you like to run, then you’re a runner’ and its commitment to helping everyone who runs to find the right gear, right advice and right motivations to keep running.
The online video was the culmination of the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2021 branded digital series ‘Who Is a Runner?’ which was created with Camp4 Collective and which enables runners of all types to tell stories in their own words.
While running is a diverse and inclusive sport, not every runner feels accepted or represented in the community, so the sports equipment company aimed to explore this topic in a multi-episode digital film series called ‘Who Is a Runner’ created in collaboration with Camp4 Collective and directed by Faith Briggs and Tim Kemple.
The sportswear brand’s goal was to ignite a debate and discussion about diversity in running.
The themes and topics – led by inclusivity, community, plus physical and mental well-being – were chosen by Camp4 Collective and the brand gave the creative production studio contacts of people they were interested in – both running crews and individuals.
The first episode of the series followed the Prolyfyck Run Crew who share how they build a safe space for Black runners to feel represented in Charlottesville.
Episode Two starred indigenous student-athlete and activist Rosalie Fish who discussed how running helps her honour indigenous women who are victims of racial and gendered violence.
Episode Three featured Chinatown Runners founder Victoria Lo and sees her discuss how rising anti-Asian discrimination made her feel unsafe while running. Her response was to found Chinatown Runners which hosts monthly runs in Chinatowns across the US to build awareness against AAPI hate.
“With the injustice we’ve seen across the country, we’ve been really focused on diversity,” said Brooks Running CMO Melanie Allen. “We want to show the diversity and change [the notion] of what a runner looks like. You get these personal stories, but then you also get the stories around the impact that it’s had on the community around them. One run a day changes your day. You never really regret it. If you do that enough times you can really impact your life. And running communities are coming together and changing the world.”
Comment
Running is one of the most inclusive sports and this campaign champions this simple idea and brings to life Brooks’ brand belief that all anyone really needs to participate is a pair of running shoes.
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