Simone Biles’s Influencer Marketing Campaign Triumphs

11 mins

Influencer marketing is shaking up the business world by creating genuine connections and en...

By Eda Osman

Marketing Manager

Influencer marketing is shaking up the business world by creating genuine connections and engaging audiences through trusted voices. And who better to showcase this than Simone Biles? Known for her incredible gymnastics career, Simone has also become a social media star, winning over millions with her authentic and inspiring posts.

As influencer marketing grows, brands find distinctive new ways to use it. Simone Biles is an excellent example of how powerful this can be, blending her athletic achievements with her role as a social media influencer.

In this guide, we’ll look at how brands have used Simone Biles in their influencer marketing campaigns. We’ll highlight key partnerships, see what they involved, and explore the strategies that made them successful. Discover how these collaborations show the many ways influencer marketing can be super effective.

Simone Biles Influencer Profile

If you don’t know Simone Biles from her sporting career, you will probably know her from her brand partnerships.

Simone Biles isn't just a gymnastics legend; she’s a powerful social media user and an inspiration to millions. Simone has been making waves in gymnastics, becoming one of her generation's most decorated and influential athletes. As an American gymnast, she competed at the highest levels, showing her incredible talent and dedication. 

With an impressive collection of Olympic and World Championship medals, she’s set new standards for what excellence looks like in the sport. Biles keeps pushing the limits, introducing complex and innovative routines that have cemented her place in the history books.

But Simone’s impact goes way beyond gymnastics. She’s a big name on social media, using her platform to inspire and speak out for various causes. Her open discussions about mental health, personal struggles, and the importance of self-care have touched millions. With over 7 million Instagram followers, Simone connects with a vast audience, sharing her life beyond the gym. Her “get ready with me” videos, insights into her interests like food and fashion, and her advocacy for mental health make her relatable and engaging.

Here’s why Simone Biles is a fantastic candidate for influencer marketing campaigns:

  • Massive Social Media Following: Over 7 million Instagram followers, creating a broad reach.
  • Iconic Status in Sports: A key figure in gymnastics and the sports world overall.
  • Relatability and Authenticity: She shares personal videos about her life, making her more than just an athlete.
  • Appeal to Younger Generations: Especially influential among young women who see her as a role model.
  • Proven Track Record with Brands: History of successful brand sponsorships and partnerships.

Simone’s ability to balance her athletic career with her personal life and advocacy work makes her a genuine and powerful influencer. She’s not just promoting products; she’s sharing her journey, struggles, and triumphs, resonating with a broad audience. Companies benefit immensely from this authenticity, leading to more effective and relatable marketing.

Let’s look at how. 

Partner Brands and Collaborations

Brands leveraging Simone Biles’ influence do so in various impactful ways, each tailored to their specific goals and strategies.

Let's examine some specific examples of brands she has collaborated with for influencer marketing campaigns, highlighting how these partnerships have utilised her influence to resonate with audiences and achieve marketing success.

Nike

Nike’s five-year endorsement deal with Simone Biles is a prime example of a successful influencer marketing campaign promoting athletic wear and gear. Throughout this partnership, Simone Biles, a top Instagram influencer, starred in engaging promotional videos and proudly wore Nike-sponsored outfits, showcasing both her athletic prowess and Nike's top-tier apparel.

A standout collaboration was the Nike "Unlimited" campaign, which celebrated Simone’s journey from a playful, determined child to a global athlete. The campaign featured her mother sharing cherished stories and home videos of young Simone practising gymnastics, transitioning to clips of her wearing Nike-sponsored gym clothing. This narrative emphasised the personal connection between Simone’s love for the sport and Nike’s commitment to supporting athletes.

As a Nike brand ambassador, Simone’s involvement in the partnership included several key components:

  • Nike Videos Featuring Simone Biles: Inspiring promotional videos highlighted her journey and achievements while showcasing Nike apparel.
  • Biles Dressed in Nike Apparel: Regular appearances in Nike clothing and footwear, both in training and competition, often with custom-designed items tailored for her.
  • Promotional Activities: Participation in various promotional campaigns, starring in commercials and engaging her audience through social media posts.

Simone’s influence as a fitness and fashion influencer really strengthened her connection with Nike. She made waves on Instagram and TikTok, reaching millions of followers who loved how she rocked Nike gear with style.

But in April 2021, Simone switched things up and signed with Athleta instead of sticking with Nike. It was a significant move for her career, opening up new opportunities and directions.

Even though Simone moved on, Nike’s still a significant player in gymnastics. They’re gearing up the USA Gymnastics teams for the Olympics in 2024 and 2028, including designing their leotards from 2025 with their iconic swoosh.

Simone’s five-year stint with Nike was more than just a collaboration; it was about showcasing her dedication to her sport and inspiring people through Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ ethos. Her partnership set a high standard for how these collaborations can genuinely connect with fans, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just scrolling through TikTok.

Athleta 

Simone Biles teamed up with Athleta in April 2021, aligning herself with a brand dedicated to empowering women and fostering inclusivity, especially with its predominantly female workforce. Athleta proudly states it’s “by women, for women,” which perfectly aligns with Simone’s values of diversity and empowerment.

What this partnership looks like:

  • Authentic Social Media Presence: Simone Biles shares her daily life on social media, often showcasing herself in Athleta’s stylish and practical sports gear.
  • Collaborative Content Creation: Athleta features interviews and personal insights from Simone, giving followers a glimpse into her daily routines and how Athleta’s clothes complement her active lifestyle.
  • Co-Creating New Collections: Simone collaborates closely with Athleta’s design team to develop and promote new clothing lines to inspire and empower young athletes.
  • Promotional Photoshoots: Biles participates in photoshoots wearing Athleta’s gear, enhancing the brand’s visibility through captivating visuals.
  • Sharing Values: Through this partnership, Simone Biles can authentically share her values of empowerment and balance with a broader audience.

Simone Biles’ partnership with Athleta signifies a shared commitment to promoting inclusivity and wellness. Whether she’s in intense training mode or enjoying downtime, Simone authentically integrates Athleta’s apparel into her everyday life on platforms like Instagram. This collaboration elevates Athleta’s athletic wear and encourages girls to pursue their passions while maintaining a healthy balance.

The Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour is another significant aspect of their partnership. It showcases top gymnasts and their diverse stories. Beyond showcasing skills, this tour uplifts and celebrates everyone’s unique journey. By partnering with Simone Biles, Athleta effectively utilises her influence to connect with a broader audience, demonstrating how impactful marketing can amplify brand values and resonate with consumers.

Uber Eats

Simone Biles teamed up with Uber Eats for a lively influencer marketing campaign, injecting her vibrant personality to promote food delivery services globally. Unlike her long-term roles as a brand ambassador for Nike and Athleta, this collaboration with Uber Eats took a fresh approach, focusing on a short-term, impactful campaign that resonated widely across social media platforms.

About the partnership: Simone Biles starred in a memorable commercial campaign with Uber Eats, airing during the Olympics and leveraging her influence as a social media and fitness influencer. This partnership marked a departure from traditional brand ambassadorships, using Simone's recognisable face and gymnastics prowess to highlight the convenience and enjoyment of Uber Eats' service.

Key highlights of the partnership:

  • Personality-Driven Campaign: Simone Biles infused her infectious charm into the Uber Eats commercial, resonating with her millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
  • Collaboration with Jonathan Van Ness: Partnering with Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye added an unexpected twist, broadening the campaign’s appeal and reach to diverse audiences.
  • “Tonight I’ll Be Eating” Campaign: This initiative emphasised the personalisation of food delivery, showing how even fitness influencers like Simone Biles enjoy the convenience of ordering takeout.

Uber Eats strategically used this influencer marketing campaign to connect with audiences through Simone Biles’ relatable persona authentically. By using her social media influence and engaging style, Uber Eats effectively showcased its services while aligning with Simone Biles’ support for LGBTQIA+ communities. 

This campaign demonstrated the power of combining a recognisable face with gymnastics fame to create engaging and impactful marketing that resonates with a broad audience.

K18

Simone Biles recently teamed up with K18 as their brand ambassador, diverging from her athletic endorsements with Nike and Athleta. This partnership isn't about sports performance or activewear like her previous deals—it's all about personal care and beauty through K18's "Inner Strength" campaign. It's a fresh take on influencer marketing, showcasing how Biles' influential image extends beyond the gym to focus on hair health and personal resilience.

Simone Biles' collaboration with K18 breaks away from traditional athlete endorsements by emphasising beauty and self-care. She's candid about how K18 products help keep her hair healthy despite her hectic schedule, backed by her personal hair stylist, who also supports the brand. This authenticity makes her endorsements relatable, especially to her followers, who look up to her as a fitness and social media influencer.

Critical components of the partnership:

  • Personal Testimonial: Biles shares her experience with K18 products, showing how they maintain her hair's strength and shine amid her demanding career.
  • Social Media Buzz: Using platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Biles introduces her followers to K18, demonstrating the products' benefits naturally and engagingly.
  • TV Presence: Expect Biles in TV ads for K18, highlighting the campaign's "Inner Strength" message and how it enhances beauty through effective hair care.
  • Public Engagements: Biles may appear at events on behalf of K18, connecting directly with fans and reinforcing the brand's message of beauty and confidence.
  • Content Creation: Look out for tutorials and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Biles' hair care routine with K18 products, providing insights and building consumer trust.

Simone Biles' partnership with K18 embodies the evolving dynamics of influencer marketing, blending personal authenticity with brand promotion. By championing healthy hair and individual empowerment, Biles and K18 redefine beauty standards and inspire their audience to embrace self-care. 

This collaboration sets a new standard for influencer partnerships, merging athletic influence with everyday wellness in a way that resonates deeply with today's audience.

Strategies in Influencer Marketing

Simone Biles has teamed up with brands like Nike, Athleta, Uber Eats, and K18 in impressive influencer marketing campaigns. These partnerships seamlessly blend her personal values and public persona with each brand's message, hitting home with her diverse fanbase across social media. It really shows how strategic these collaborations are, reaching all sorts of people with different interests and backgrounds.

What stands out is how Simone makes these connections feel genuine, going beyond just promoting sportswear with Nike or empowerment with Athleta. Whether she's sharing everyday moments with Uber Eats or discussing hair care with K18, she connects deeply on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, using her influence intelligently and effectively.

These partnerships range from long-term ambassador roles to shorter campaigns designed to make the most of Simone's influence as a Nike ambassador and beyond. Brands boost their visibility and credibility by teaming up with someone as respected as Simone, building trust and enhancing their reputation. Authenticity and thoughtful planning play a huge role in making these influencer collaborations successful in today's competitive market.

What Your Brand Can Learn from Simone Biles' Partnerships

Exploring Simone Biles' collaborations reveals valuable insights into effective influencer marketing strategies. Biles seamlessly integrates with sports-focused giants like Nike and Athleta, leveraging her athletic prowess to forge genuine connections with her audience. These partnerships resonate authentically, creating compelling narratives that drive engagement and encourage loyalty among her followers.

Key insights for Your brand:

  • Personalisation Drives Connection: Biles' partnerships succeed due to their personal touch. Aligning her image as an athlete with sports-focused brands ensures a genuine connection that her followers find compelling and relatable, enhancing your brand's authenticity.
  • Exploring Unconventional Connections: Consider Uber Eats' collaboration with Biles. In a competitive food delivery market, this partnership cleverly used Biles' charismatic personality to stand out and appeal to a broader audience beyond gymnastics enthusiasts. It demonstrates how unconventional partnerships can forge meaningful connections and enhance brand visibility.
  • Adaptability in Partner Selection: Whether your brand collaborates with high-profile celebrities like Biles or opts for smaller influencers, alignment with your brand's values and target audience is key. While one-off partnerships can generate immediate buzz, longer-term collaborations with micro or macro influencers often foster deeper engagement and authenticity.
  • Mutual Benefit and Sustainability: Successful influencer partnerships, exemplified by Biles, are mutually beneficial. Your brand gains visibility and a competitive edge while influencers expand their reach and deepen their connection with followers. Ensuring both parties derive value supports lasting relationships and sustainable growth in influencer marketing.

In essence, learning from influencers like Simone Biles involves strategic alignment and authenticity. Whether aiming for immediate impact or long-term engagement, focusing on shared values and personalised storytelling can elevate your brand's presence and resonate deeply with your audience, driving meaningful results.

Biles Influencer Campaign Insights: Final Thoughts

Simone Biles has shown us how powerful influencer marketing campaigns can be. Her genuine and relatable presence makes her a perfect partner for brands aiming to connect authentically with their audience. By working with brands like Nike, Athleta, Uber Eats, and K18, she has showcased different ways influencer marketing can succeed, from promoting sports gear to championing women's empowerment.

Simone's partnerships highlight key strategies such as personalisation, aligning with the influencer's values, and creating authentic content. The brands and campaigns featuring Biles provide valuable lessons for any business: align with influencers who share your brand's values, create genuine content, and ensure the partnership benefits both sides.

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With a proven track record and a commitment to excellence, we excel in connecting companies with the right talent to drive growth and innovation. Whether expanding your digital marketing capabilities or building a stand-out content strategy, our dedicated consultants support your influencer marketing hiring journey.

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