Nike is an American multinational corporation that designs, develops and sells athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories. It is headquartered in Oregon and employs over 44,000 people worldwide. Nike differentiates itself through innovative product design, aggressive marketing featuring celebrity athletes, and a focus on quality. Key to Nike's success are its core competencies in marketing, technology, product customization and building its distinctive brand image. While Nike dominates the industry, it faces threats from competition, criticism of its labor practices, and changing consumer and social priorities.