Foot Locker Follows Up Viral Hit "Short Memory Part I" With Part II Featuring NBA Star James Harden And Soccer Legend Landon Donovan

Latest "Approved" Spot Extends Idea That Greatness Requires a Short Memory

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Aug 12, 2014, 04:00 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Foot Locker, the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today launched the second television commercial in a two-part series featuring NBA star James Harden. The latest ad, titled "Short Memory Part II," stars Harden alongside retiring soccer legend Landon Donovan and follows the viral "Short Memory Part I" spot, which starred Harden with basketball legends Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen. The spot is part of Foot Locker's successful "Approved" campaign and supports the brand's position as a can't-miss destination for back-to-school shopping.

Donovan, who this month announced his intention to retire from competitive soccer, opens the spot by complimenting Harden's fresh new gear from Foot Locker. Harden notes that his new Foot Locker gear is part of his path to greatness before referencing Donovan infamously being cut from the United States Men's National Team. Donovan, charmingly incredulous, has seemingly forgotten, and replies, "James, they can't cut me, I'm the captain!" continuing the theme from "Short Memory Part I" that achieving greatness requires a short memory.

"Just like 'Short Memory Part I,' Part II demonstrates that achieving greatness at anything requires never dwelling on the past," said Stacy Cunningham, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Foot Locker. "It's always about looking ahead to the next opportunity and staying fresh, such as finding the best new gear for the new school year at Foot Locker."

"First, I learned that the key to being an NBA legend is having a short memory," said Harden. "Then, I got a chance to work with soccer star Landon Donovan, and he showed me that having a short memory, along with the ability to have a great sense of humor about oneself, is an important tool for the world's best athletes in any sport."

"After a 15-plus year club and international soccer career, I understand how important having a short memory is to achieving greatness," said Donovan. "As I get set to retire, it was a terrific experience to work with Foot Locker and James Harden to impart this knowledge in a humorous way."

The spot was produced by BBDO and will begin airing August 12. It will also be featured on Foot Locker's YouTube page: youtube.com/footlocker.

Follow @footlocker on Twitter and Instagram for information on all the newest back-to-school gear coming to Foot Locker this season.

About Foot Locker:
Foot Locker is part of Foot Locker, Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,500 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, SIX:02, Runners Point, and Sidestep retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel, including footlocker.com, Eastbay, CCS.com, SIX:02.com, runnerspoint.com, and sidestep-shoes.com, the Company is a leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

Additional information may be found at footlocker.com | Twitter: @footlocker #Approved | YouTube: youtube.com/footlocker | Blog: unlocked.footlocker.com | Facebook: facebook.com/footlocker

Video - http://youtu.be/he2t3zNCEgk
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130806/NY59635LOGO

SOURCE Foot Locker