It’s not every day that the emotional side of the Twitterati shows up. But some people and some situations call for it. The death of Dan Weeden, founder of Weeden+Kennedy, has sent shockwaves through Twitter as people busy narrating and reminiscing about the life of Nike’s most famous “just do it” man. It is no exaggeration to say that Wieden has followed suit in his life as he scaled new creative heights and inspired others to do the same. He died peacefully at his home in Oregon on September 30, with his wife by his side.
Farewell
Dan Wieden is gone, but the marks he left will remain forever. This is very clear from the responses and responses that have flooded Twitter as users share their grief over Weeden’s death. Although Wieden did not retire from the agency in 2010, Following his death, the agency released the following statement.
“Our hearts are broken. But more than that, we are overcome with gratitude and love. Thank you, Daniel, for opening doors for people to live to their full potential. Thank you for your perseverance, courage, faith and enduring love. Thank you for making this beautiful creative life possible. We will miss you so much.
Dan Weeden, March 6, 1945 – September 30, 2022
Thank you, Dan, for opening doors for people to live to their full potential.
We miss you so much. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SyPfYP5KeL
— Wieden+Kennedy (@WiedenKennedy) October 1, 2022
Weeden spent many years in public relations before entering the world of advertising. While Wieden’s father was part of the advertising industry, he didn’t consider himself qualified for the job until he started freelancing and realized he had a knack for the industry. Weeden began working at a small Portland agency with his partner, David Kennedy. The duo began working on Nike, which was in its infancy at the time. Impressed by their skills and abilities, Nike founder Phil Knight urged the two to form their own agency. The rest is history. In 1982, Wieden+Kennedy began its journey in Portland. It is safe to say that the agency has had a successful journey and will continue to grow and flourish. Nike’s hand in Wieden+Kennedy’s significant growth cannot be understated.
Dan Weeden was a man who encouraged people to think outside the box and take chances. But the man who had won so many awards and accolades was too tired to concentrate. Now, let’s take a look at a couple of reactions and responses on Twitter.
Lots of love and condolences from the man who opened those doors to the great man
— Iain Tait (@iaintait) October 1, 2022
#ad “… it’s not about selling things. This business is about creating strong, stimulating relationships between good companies and their customers. Those relationships feed the business, you have to feed the relationship first.” – #Dan Wyden https://t.co/vps7BAsXLJ
— Fernando Barbella (@FLBarbella) October 2, 2022
Be Dan Weeden, who “doesn’t want us to do anything normal that people do” in a world of “best practices.” https://t.co/bMrxhcsOvZ
— Aisha (@aishamadeit) October 2, 2022
“Excellence is the great experiment.
Dan Wieden
6 March 1945 – 30 September 2022# Copywriters UnionImage by James Ramseurhttps://t.co/8vMe9Fk9pu pic.twitter.com/c3XehpLp4d
— Vikki Ross (@VikkiRossWrites) October 2, 2022
There’s a lot to like about Dan Weeden when it comes to advertising and creative marketing. The creativity, the dry wit, the willingness to amplify voices outside of yourself. This is a real and huge loss. https://t.co/JJjf3A8SJ5
— 🇺🇦 David Griner 🇺🇦 (@griner) October 1, 2022
Travel well, Dan Weeden!
Weeden is best known for pioneering Nike’s “Just Do It” logo. :’)#Let the soul learn
– Simran✨ (@jr_sachdeva) October 2, 2022
I will. @Adweek Explain @DanWiedenHis impact on the industry, however, was that he and David Kennedy left an indelible mark on Portland and Oregon. Without all of that, it would be hard to picture Beaverton today @WiedenKennedy And @nike It was built. https://t.co/edHB2zdIFk
— Jason Notte (@Notteham) October 1, 2022
Dan Weeden — advertising icon and co-founder of the Portland agency that bears his name — has died at age 77.
Weeden famously came up with Nike’s slogan, “Just do it.” https://t.co/ronRMJ5kxa
— Marty Swant (@martyswant) October 1, 2022