For years, Liz Dolan
said she would retire as Nike's vice-president of global marketing
once she turned 40. Two years ago, she did. In September,
she and her four sisters debut as co-hosts on NPR's radio
show Satellite Sisters. She's also marketing the upcoming
Women's World Cup Soccer.
Willamette Week: Your title with Nike was vice-president
of global marketing, so was Nike's current or contemporary
image largely shaped by you?
Liz Dolan: I think that's way too strong.
Do you have a "swoosh" tattoo anywhere on your body?
I do not, nor would I ever. There's a limit to my loyalty,
and defacing my own body is beyond it.
You will be a co-host of a radio show with your four
sisters. You also have three brothers. Did you have sibling
rivalries?
We had some famous boxing matches that were the boys vs.
the girls, but it would be, like, one boy vs. two girls
at a time, or the girls could switch off and the boys could
not. But we only did that when my parents were out of town.
With this new project, and throughout your career, I
imagine you've had to fly a lot. What do you like to keep
with you? What's in your carry-on bag?
Let's see. I have a cashmere shawl that I wear a lot and
carry with me on planes because I'm so freezing all the
time.
What do you think of the phrase "soccer mom"?
Well, I've been working on a lot of the marketing for the
Women's World Cup this year, so I've used that phrase a
lot. I think of the unsung heroes of recreational sports
in America, and so I admire the parents, particularly the
moms that put all the effort into getting their kids out
and having fun. They really don't get enough credit for
keeping communities together. They have to make the ultimate
sacrifice: They have to drive mini-vans. I think they are
the backbone of society (laughs).
Changing things a bit here, what's in your CD changer
right now at home or in the car?
Hang on. I'll go open it and tell you. I only have a tape
player in my car because I listen to the radio most of the
time when I'm in the car--because I am such a radio junkie.
OK, system on...let's see what I've got here. No. 1, Tracy
Chapman, No. 2 is Chris Isaak, No. 3 is Sarah McLachlan--this
is so predictable (laughs)--No. 4 is Jamiroquai and No.
5 is Elvis Costello.
This might be a good lead-in for you to describe your
most memorable brush with fame.
Ah. Most memorable brush with fame.
I imagine you've had a few.
You know, I've had brushes with Michael Jordan and presidents
and things, and Muhammad Ali. But I was most impressed and
most moved when I met Rosa Parks. Here was a person who
had done such an extraordinary thing in the simplest possible
way. She didn't get elected president, she doesn't have
an NBA scoring title, but she changed our world.
Growing up, did you dream of being in marketing?
I don't think I even heard of it until well after I was
in it.
When was that?
When I got out of college. I got a job in New York working
at an advertising and PR agency, and I was actually working
in the PR department before anyone even explained to me
what PR was. I'd never really heard of it, but it was really
fun, so I enjoyed it.
So you learned on the job?
I definitely learned on the job. I was a French-literature
major. I didn't train for anything in college, believe me.
Finally, you've just been named the new producer of
Teletubbies. What's the first thing you're going
to do?
God, I wouldn't change a thing (laughs).
You're a fan?
Yeah. I mean, I don't watch that often, but it is such
a surreal experience for me. After Pee-wee's Playhouse
went off the air, you just didn't know where to turn. It's
a surreal world of live things and fake things--like in
Teletubbies. Those bunnies hopping across the AstroTurf--there's
just something about it that is so bizarre.
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Willamette Week | originally
published June 9, 1999
|
