10 episodes

We follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, who've made, and been made, by trainers. We hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak

Sneakernomics BBC Radio 4

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 8 Ratings

We follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, who've made, and been made, by trainers. We hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak

    9. Footnotes

    9. Footnotes

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding
    Phil . . . . . Trevor White
    Waitress . . . . . Cecilia Appiah
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Peter Moore, Julie Dixon, Nelson Farris, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, Paul Litchfield, Anna Bryher, Rob Harrison, Mimmy Kowell, Matt Powell, Sebastien Kopp, Angel Martinez, Bob Woodell, Sigi Dassler, Michael Dassler, John Boulter, Joe Foster, Joe Franklin, Gary Aspden, Clare Ewing, Adam Gibbons and Simon Ward.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 57 min
    8. Nobody Remembers Number Two

    8. Nobody Remembers Number Two

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding
    Michael . . . . . Martins Imhangbe
    Phil . . . . . Trevor White
    Sonny . . . . . Joseph Balderrama
    Cheryl . . . . . Cecilia Appiah
    Paul . . . . . Ed Gaughan
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Julie Dixon, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, John Boulter, Joe Foster, Angel Martinez, Professor Akilah Carter-Francique, Jeff Johnson, Bob Woodell, Nelson Farris, Peter Moore, Dr Todd Boyd, Paul Litchfield, Victoria Purcell, Michelle Apodaca, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 57 min
    7. The Cri de Coeur

    7. The Cri de Coeur

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Ron . . . . . Ed Gaughan
    Nurse . . . . . Charlotte East
    Frank . . . . . Martins Imhangbe
    Phil . . . . . Trevor White
    Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding
    Bob . . . . . Joseph Balderrama
    Jeff . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr.
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Russ Gater, Jeff Johnson, John Boulter, Mike Deegan, Gary Aspden, Neal Heard, Julie Dixon, Peter Moore, Nelson Farris, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Gina Millson, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 56 min
    6. Kingmaker

    6. Kingmaker

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Horst . . . . . Mark Edel-Hunt
    Kathe . . . . . Jane Whittenshaw
    Reporter . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery
    João . . . . . Joseph Balderrama
    Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding
    Phil . . . . . Trevor White
    Adriaan . . . . . Roger Ringrose
    Secretary . . . . . Cecilia Appiah
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Michael Dassler, Sigi Dassler, John Boulter, Patrick Nally, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, Julie Dixon, Angelo Anastasio and Andrew Jennings.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 56 min
    5. The Birth of Cool

    5. The Birth of Cool

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Paul . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery
    Steve . . . . . Aaron Gelkoff
    Tony . . . . . Arun Blair-Mangat
    Bill . . . . . Nathan Osgood
    Barbara . . . . . Jane Whittenshaw
    Shoji . . . . . Daniel York Loh
    Phil . . . . . Trevor White
    John . . . . . Mark Edel-Hunt
    Doug . . . . . Joseph Balderrama
    Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Walt Frazier, Art Simburg, Tony Alva, Steve Van Doren, Jeff Johnson, Julie Dixon, Bob Woodell, Peter Moore, Russ Gater, Cindy Yoshimura, Patricia James, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 57 min
    4. A Fistful of Shoes

    4. A Fistful of Shoes

    Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.
    Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.
    The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.
    Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.
    Bud . . . . . Joe Sims
    Tommie . . . . . Arun Blair-Mangat
    John . . . . . Stefan Adegbola
    David . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery
    Sepp . . . . . Ian Dunnett Jnr
    Michel . . . . . Hasan Dixon
    Inspector . . . . . Joseph Balderrama
    Horst . . . . . Mark Edel-Hunt
    Concierge . . . . . Cecilia Appiah
    Other parts . . . . . Charlotte East & Trevor White
    Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa
    Assistant Producer: Ben Hollands
    Sound: Peter Ringrose
    Producer: Sasha Yevtushenko
    Special thanks: Art Simburg, David Jones, Sigi Dassler, Professor Akilah Carter-Francique, Dr Todd Boyd, Michael Dassler, John Boulter, Patrick Nally, Michael McKnight, Helmut Fischer, Harry Blutstein, Professor Kevin Hylton and Kerstin Neuber.
    First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

    • 1 hr

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

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