Dan Wieden, the ad legend who launched Nike as a brand, has just left us.

Dan Wieden, the co-founder of Wieden+Kennedy aka the ad agency that branded Nike sneakers around the world among so many other things, and inspired generations of creatives, passed away on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Unlike 95% of other agencies who got swallowed up by holding companies, WK remained independent, set far away from Madison Avenue, putting Portland, and by extension Nike on the map. 

There will never be another Dan Wieden. 

Here are just a few of my favorite spots.

In 1988 Nike unveiled the classic “Just Do It” tagline. This is the one line/idea that Wieden doesn't share with anyone, but he was otherwise widely known for showering credits on the creatives that worked up under him.

Dan was 77 years old, he is survived by his wife Priscilla Bernard Wieden, daughter Tami (Wieden) and Peter Wiedensmith, daughter Laura (Wieden) and Joe Blatner, daughter Cassie, son Bryan, stepson Nathan Bernard, stepdaughter Bree Oswill, stepson Sean Oswill, brother Ken, sister Sherrie, and 12 grandchildren.

Work hard, play hard, as they say.