Michael Jordan's self-titled cologne was released in October 1996, with a $20 million ad campaign from Bijan, the design house backing the product. The cologne was initially a phenomenal success, with sales of $40 million in the first seven weeks. However, despite the sales figures, the product received poor reviews, with many consumers unimpressed by the scent.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Launch date | 1996 |
Bottle size | 3.4 oz |
Scent | Cedar, sandalwood, green tea, and leather |
Target demographic | 16-to-34-year-old men |
Price | $12-35 |
Awards | Men’s Fragrance Star of the Year, Men’s National Advertising Campaign of the Year |
What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's cologne was a phenomenal failure
Despite the strong branding, the cologne was poorly received by consumers. Many people disliked the smell, describing it as "overripe citrus and hairspray", "aged butt cheese in a baseball glove", and "synthetic". The cologne was also associated with urban legends, such as the belief that spraying it would improve one's basketball skills.
However, the cologne did have some positive reviews, with some people finding it to be a pleasant, sporty fragrance. It was also affordable and long-lasting. According to a global fragrance expert, Marian Bendeth, the cologne's failure was due to missing the target demographic. It was marketed towards young fans of Jordan, but the scent was more suitable for a mature audience.
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The cologne was launched in 1996
Michael Jordan's cologne was launched in 1996, and it was a big deal. The basketball legend was at the height of his fame, having just won his fourth NBA championship, and was also promoting the upcoming release of Space Jam. So, it made sense for him to launch his own fragrance.
The cologne was released in October1996, with a $20 million ad campaign from the design house Bijan. The logo was a black silhouette of Jordan's head on a red background—85% of people immediately recognised it as Jordan. The fragrance was targeted at 16-34-year-old men, and sold for $12-35, depending on the bottle size.
The cologne was an initial success. In the first seven weeks, it made $40 million in sales, becoming the best-selling new fragrance of 1996. It even won two awards from The Fragrance Foundation: Men's Fragrance Star of the Year and Men's National Advertising Campaign of the Year.
However, despite the initial buzz, the fragrance received poor reviews. One person described it as smelling like "aged butt cheese in a baseball glove". Another said it was "overripe citrus and hairspray".
Although the cologne was a commercial success, it seems that most people didn't like the scent.
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It was the best-selling new fragrance of 1996
Michael Jordan's self-titled cologne was the best-selling new fragrance of 1996, grossing $40 million in sales within the first seven weeks of its launch. The cologne was released in October 1996, with a $20 million advertising campaign from Bijan, the design house backing the product. The promotional campaign featured a silhouette of Jordan's head in black against a red background, and it was targeted at 16-to-34-year-old men. The cologne was sold in department and sporting goods stores, with prices ranging from $12 to $35, depending on the bottle size.
The cologne's success can be attributed to its effective marketing and packaging. The bottle featured a cutout of a basketball and Jordan's autograph on the box, while the commercial promoting the product starred Jordan himself, whistling and shaving his head. This minimalist marketing was enough to generate buzz and high sales during the initial launch period, as Jordan was a force of cool all by himself.
The cologne's scent is described as a blend of citrus and woodsy elements, creating a clean and fresh aroma. It features top notes of cypress, grapefruit, lemon, cognac, geranium, cedar needles, and Brazilian rosewood; middle notes of fir, juniper berries, lavender, incense, green tea, clary sage, and cloves; and base notes of sandalwood, musk, and patchouli.
While the cologne was a commercial success, consumer reviews were more mixed. Some appreciated its unique and classic fragrance, while others found it underwhelming or too overpowering. Ultimately, the cologne's popularity waned as it faced competition from other celebrity fragrances that saturated the market.
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The cologne was marketed to 16-34-year-old men
The Michael Jordan cologne was marketed to 16-34-year-old men, a demographic that was likely to buy his sneakers and other endorsements. The cologne was launched by the design house Bijan with a $20 million ad campaign. The logo was a black silhouette of Jordan's head on a red background, and 85% of people identified the logo as Jordan. The cologne was initially sold in department and sporting goods stores, with prices ranging from $12 to $35, depending on the bottle size.
The cologne's minimalist marketing was enough to attract young people because Jordan was a force of cool all by himself. The cologne's packaging featured a basketball and Jordan's silhouette and autograph. The promotional kit contained five tiny spray bottles, each representing one of the elements that made up the fragrance: "Cool," "Rare Air," "Sensual," "Pebble Beach," and "Home Run."
The cologne sold very well initially. According to Fast Company, Bijan made $40 million in sales in the first seven weeks, making it the best-selling new fragrance of 1996. The Fragrance Foundation even gave the cologne two awards: Men's Fragrance Star of the Year and Men's National Advertising Campaign of the Year. However, despite the impressive sales figures, most people who bought the cologne didn't feel like they got a product that was worth their time or money.
The cologne received mixed reviews from customers, with some describing it as "overripe citrus and hairspray" and "the most foul cologne I've ever smelled." However, others praised its pleasant scent, value for money, and masculine appeal. Some customers also mentioned that the cologne had a unique and classic fragrance that would stand out.
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The cologne is still available for purchase
The cologne is available in different sizes, including 0.5 oz, 1.0 oz, 1.7 oz, and 3.4 oz. The cologne is described as having a blend of citrus, woodsy, and spicy notes, creating a fresh and sophisticated aroma. It is recommended for daytime and casual wear, making it versatile for various occasions.
Reviews for the cologne are generally positive, with many customers appreciating its pleasant scent and value for money. Some describe it as having a unique and classic fragrance that stands out, while others find it subtle, refreshing, and timeless. However, there are also mixed opinions on its longevity, with some customers stating that it doesn't last long.
Overall, the Michael Jordan cologne seems to be a well-liked fragrance that offers a blend of appealing scents at a discounted price, making it a good option for those seeking a nostalgic or affordable cologne.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan's cologne was released in October 1996.
The cologne received mixed reviews. While some people liked the scent, others thought it was too overpowering. Some reviews mention that the cologne was a good value for money and had a pleasant blend of citrus, woodsy, and spicy notes. However, others thought that the cologne was not worth the price and that it didn't smell nice.
The cologne sold very well initially, with $40 million in sales in the first seven weeks. It was the best-selling new fragrance of 1996 and won two awards from The Fragrance Foundation. However, the cologne eventually disappeared from the market as it couldn't compete with other celebrity fragrances.
The original scent was described as clean and fresh, with a blend of citrus and woodsy elements. Other scents included "Flight", which was spicier and bolder, and "Legend", which had hints of leather, amber, and coffee.