Exclusive: The Nike HyperVenom Story | Phil McCartney & Martin Lotti
While in Rio for the launch of the Nike HyperVenom, the SoccerBible team had the chance to chat to two of Nike's Football's head honchos. Speaking exclusively to SoccerBible, Phil McCartney (VP Nike Football Footwear) and Martin Lotti (VP Nike Football Design), broke down the concept behind the Nike HyperVenom.
Who better to explain the key innovations that are part of the HyperVenom than Nike chiefs Phil McCartney and Martin Lotti. The duo have been at the heart of Nike's biggest innovations and are now ready to embark on a "revolutionary journey" as the countdown to Brazil 2014 continues. Pretty exciting stuff.
Inside Nike's HQ things are moving fast. Martin Lotti, who leads Nike's Global Football Design team, is now focused on Brazil 2014 where the Nike team are set to deliver some of their most extraordinary football innovations to date. "This truly is a dream job in so many ways and to be part of this endeavour when 4 billion people will be watching the World Cup in Brazil, truly now a spiritual home of Nike, I cannot wait."
When coming up with the HyperVenom concept, the Nike Football design team - led by Nike Football Design Director Denis Dekovic - started with a blank canvas. McCartney explained, "We thought about performance in a new way and really thought about style in a new way. Denis Dekovic really thought about how he could push the boundaries and how to be more provocative."
Nike worked extensively with Neymar throughout the development of the HyperVenom. The insight they gained helped shape the boot from top to bottom. Lotti explained, "If you work with players like Neymar, it really is an amazing opportunity. Getting his true insights into how to make a boot better, it's epic."
"He specifically told us that his best way of playing is barefoot, and the best touch is when he's barefoot. So we took that insight and applied it to the shoes." McCartney - who must have SoccerBible bookmarked on his computer - went on to say, "We've been working with him over the course of two and a half years. We've been to Santos to watch him train with some prototypes that you guys put on the site!"
To hear more from the guys on the story behind the new Nike HyperVenom, check out our full and exclusive video and visit our YouTube and Vimeo channels. Will you be bagging a pair of the boots ahead of the new season? Let us know! Join the conversation online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
