Nike N7 Welcomes Back Buffalo Nickel Creative for Upcoming 2024 Collection Marketing Campaign

Nike N7 has officially announced the renewal of its partnership with the Indigenous-led creative production agency Buffalo Nickel Creative (BNC) for the campaign launch of its 2024 collection. This collaboration marks the third consecutive year that the two entities have worked together to bring authentic, impactful storytelling to the forefront of the N7 collection.

The N7 collection is more than just athletic gear; it is a long-standing initiative dedicated to raising awareness and contributing to the health, education, and wellness of Native American and Indigenous communities. Rooted in the belief that sport can be a powerful force for positive change, the collection is specifically designed for and often inspired by Native American, and Indigenous peoples across North America. A portion of the proceeds supports the N7 Fund, which grants funds to organizations committed to bringing sport and physical activity programs to youth in these communities.

The continued partnership is a strong endorsement of BNC’s unique approach, which prioritizes cultural authenticity, community engagement, and narrative sovereignty in high-level commercial productions.

The synergy between Nike N7 and BNC had previously yielded two successful national campaigns that were critically acclaimed for moving beyond tokenism and stereotype. Those campaigns focused on celebrating the modernity, resilience, and unique connections to land held by Indigenous athletes. BNC’s process ensures that every phase of production, from casting to final edit, respects community protocols and is grounded in authentic, self-determined storytelling. This commitment also prioritizes staffing the production team with an Indigenous majority.

“When we first partnered with BNC, we knew we were signing up for more than just a creative agency; we were signing up for an ethical partnership,” said a Nike N7 representative. “The impact of the last two campaigns has been invaluable, not only in driving the collection's mission but in elevating the stories of the communities it serves. Continuing into 2024 was an easy and obvious decision for us.”

Crucially, the 2024 renewal comes with a special provision: the explicit request from N7 executives for the return of Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong.

Hong, an internationally renowned Cinematographer, is not Indigenous to North America, but has been an integral part of BNC's team for the past three years, contributing a technical excellence that perfectly complements BNC’s cultural guidance. His work over the last two campaigns was instrumental in crafting the rich, cinematic look that elevated the N7 campaign to a new standard of visual sophistication.

Sources close to the collaboration confirm that N7 leadership views Hong’s visual approach as essential to the upcoming campaign's success. This demand highlights a key philosophy of Buffalo Nickel Creative: while the ultimate vision and creative control must be Indigenous-led, successful growth requires collaborating with and learning from the best talent in the world. Hong not only delivers exceptional quality but is also known for his generosity in sharing knowledge and mentoring emerging Indigenous talent on set.

“Justin has cemented his place as a cornerstone of our visual team, and his dedication and alignment to our mission is unwavering,” commented Joseph Brown Thunder (Ho-Chunk and Lakota), Chief Executive and Co-Founder of BNC.

Third Time's A Charm: Buffalo Nickel Creative Reunites With Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong.

From L to R - Director Ryan Redcorn, Producer Jospeh Brown Thunder, Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong

“The fact that Nike N7 specifically requested his return speaks volumes about the level of trust and professional respect that has been built over these years. We are excited to continue blending his technical mastery with our cultural mandate for the 2024 collection.”

Production for the Nike N7 2024 collection campaign is slated to begin shortly, promising another year of groundbreaking and visually stunning content rooted in the spirit of Indigenous excellence.