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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

How to Master the Art of ‘Trash Talk’ Marketing

Converse’s dig at Adidas during the NBA playoffs is the latest example of a brand publicly taking a competitor to task. But knowing when and how to diss your rivals requires nuanced storytelling and good timing.
The NBA Playoffs had sportswear brands such as Puma and Adidas talking trash to create savvy marketing moments on social media.
The NBA Playoffs had sportswear brands such as Puma and Adidas talking trash to create savvy marketing moments on social media. (BoF Studios)

The trash talk being thrown around during the NBA Finals isn’t just coming from the players but directly from the marketing departments of the sportswear brands that sponsor them.

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About the author
Lei Takanashi
Lei Takanashi

Lei Takanashi is a Correspondent at The Business of Fashion (BoF). He is based in New York City and covers menswear, streetwear, young consumer trends, and the intersection between fashion and culture.

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