Louis Vuitton Enlists Tennis Legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for New Campaign
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal and his rival Roger Federer are the new faces of Louis Vuitton’s “Core Values” campaign, showcasing the trend of sports heroes becoming ambassadors for luxury houses. The campaign highlights the friendship between the two athletes off the court, embodying the Olympic spirit that Vuitton aims to promote.
The campaign, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, features Nadal and Federer sitting on Vuitton trunks on a snowy mountaintop of Italy’s Dolomites , symbolizing their shared careers. The campaign will be featured in various newspapers, magazines, and billboards worldwide, along with a short film.
“I know how many important icons have been part of this campaign, so for me personally, being part of it is something that I am very proud of, especially sharing it with Roger – he has been my biggest rival and now a close friend today. In my career, I achieved more than I ever dreamt of, so at the end of the day, the legacy in terms of human beings is the most important value,” explains Rafael Nadal.
“It’s a unique opportunity to be working on this campaign with Rafa. How we could be such rivals and then at the end of our careers be beside each other doing this campaign has been very cool. And where we are here today, I think it also embodies everything: at the peak of the mountains. For us it is something meaningful and special,” says Roger Federer.
Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, Pietro Beccari, expressed his admiration for the camaraderie between Nadal and Federer, emphasizing the rarity and importance of their friendship. The two athletes embody qualities like optimism, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of exceeding limits, qualities that resonate with the Vuitton brand.
The “Core Values” campaign is part of Vuitton’s multifaceted marketing strategy, showcasing values rather than products. Beccari highlighted the complexity of a luxury brand like Vuitton, stating that it represents a multitude of facets. The campaign with Federer and Nadal focuses on the values they embody, reinforcing the brand’s message.
Nadal and Federer, known for their dedication to their sport, brought their tennis rackets to the photoshoot, capturing private moments away from the main campaign. Their commitment to their craft, even in unexpected settings like a mountaintop shoot, mirrors the spirit of the campaign’s tagline: “There are journeys that turn into legends.”