Core Viewpoint - The incident involving "fastest nurse" Zhang Shuihua and her contract termination with 361 Degrees has sparked significant public discussion, highlighting the brand's marketing strategies and the implications of athlete endorsements in the sports industry [1][3][4]. Group 1: Incident Overview - Zhang Shuihua won the women's group championship at the 2025 Harbin Marathon, but expressed difficulty in taking leave from her nursing job to participate in the event, calling for support from her superiors [1][4]. - Following the incident, 361 Degrees displayed a message in their live stream indicating the termination of their contract with Zhang Shuihua, emphasizing their commitment to promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle [1][3]. - The brand has not issued a formal statement regarding the contract termination, leading to speculation about their marketing approach and athlete selection criteria [1][4]. Group 2: Endorsement Strategy - 361 Degrees has signed a total of 29 endorsers in the first half of 2025, including prominent athletes from various sports, indicating a diverse endorsement strategy [6][12]. - The brand's endorsement roster includes 13 runners, as well as notable figures from basketball, such as NBA stars Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, showcasing a broad appeal across different sports [6][12]. - The company aims to enhance brand influence and sales through partnerships with athletes, leveraging their professional image to connect with consumers [10][12]. Group 3: Advertising and Sponsorship Expenditure - 361 Degrees has consistently increased its advertising and promotional spending, surpassing 1 billion yuan annually in recent years, reflecting a growing investment in brand visibility [13][14]. - The advertising expenditure ratio reached 10.1% in the first half of 2025, marking a 6.4% year-on-year increase, indicating a strategic focus on enhancing brand presence [14]. - The brand's sponsorship of major sporting events, including the Asian Games and World Swimming Championships, further illustrates its commitment to expanding market reach and brand recognition [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the business strategy of 361 Degrees in leveraging sports stars as brand ambassadors, highlighting the recent controversy surrounding the "fastest nurse" Zhang Shuihua and the company's response to her contract termination [2][3]. Brand Strategy - 361 Degrees has disclosed a total of 29 brand ambassadors in the first half of 2025, including international NBA stars, Olympic champions, and elite athletes, with 13 specifically in the running category [5][6]. - The company aims to enhance brand influence and sales through collaborations with professional athletes, often opting for short-term endorsement contracts during events [7]. Advertising and Promotion Expenditure - 361 Degrees has significantly increased its advertising and promotion spending, surpassing 1 billion yuan in both 2023 and 2024, with a ratio of 10.1% in the first half of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 6.4% [10][11]. - The brand's advertising expenditure has shown a consistent upward trend, with a notable increase from 4.95 billion yuan in 2020 to 10.72 billion yuan in 2023 [11]. Athlete Endorsement Impact - The choice of brand ambassadors is influenced by their commercial value, image alignment with the brand, reputation, and collaboration costs, with a focus on enhancing customer retention and attracting new clients [9][12]. - The strategy includes diversifying endorsements across various sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, and e-sports, to reach different consumer segments [8][9].

Core Points - The collaboration between the sports brand 361 Degrees and marathon runner Zhang Shuihua, known as the "fastest female nurse," has ended after a brief period due to public controversy [1][2] - The decision to terminate the partnership was mutual and reached after friendly negotiations between both parties [1] Group 1: Background and Performance - Zhang Shuihua achieved a remarkable time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 27 seconds, winning the women's group at the Harbin Marathon on August 31 [1] - Her performance was notable as she completed the race in adverse conditions, including running during her menstrual period [1] Group 2: Public Reaction and Controversy - Following the marathon, Zhang expressed her desire for her hospital leadership to support her in taking weekends off to participate in marathons, which sparked a heated online debate [2] - Supporters argued that employers should encourage employees' personal development, while critics contended that personal interests should not burden colleagues [2] - The controversy intensified when viewers noticed Zhang's affiliation with 361 Degrees, leading to a surge of comments in the brand's live stream, including jokes about the situation [2] Group 3: Company Response - In response to the public backlash, 361 Degrees decided to terminate its contract with Zhang Shuihua, although no formal announcement was made [2] - The change in partnership was subtly indicated during a live stream on September 3, where the host displayed a printed news report about the termination [2] - Zhang has since removed all references to her partnership with 361 Degrees from her social media accounts [2]

Core Viewpoint - The incident revolves around a nurse's request for support from hospital leadership to adjust her schedule for marathon participation, which has sparked significant public debate and backlash regarding work-life balance and personal priorities in the healthcare sector [10][11]. Group 1: Public Reaction - The public is divided into two camps: those who empathize with the nurse's aspirations and those who criticize her for prioritizing personal interests over professional responsibilities [3][4]. - Critics argue that the nurse's request for schedule adjustments places undue pressure on her colleagues, highlighting a perceived lack of consideration for their time and commitments [5][6]. - Supporters suggest that society should be more understanding of individuals striving for excellence in their personal pursuits, emphasizing the need for compassion towards those who work hard [6][10]. Group 2: Brand Response - The nurse's association with the sports brand 361° has come under scrutiny, with accusations that her public persona and sponsorships may conflict with her professional obligations [11][13]. - Following the backlash, 361° announced a mutual agreement to terminate their partnership with the nurse, a decision seen as a standard crisis management strategy to distance the brand from negative public sentiment [23][27]. - The brand's communication regarding the termination has been criticized for lacking clarity and failing to address the underlying issues raised by the incident, leading to further public dissatisfaction [28][29]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The incident highlights broader issues within the healthcare industry regarding work-life balance, particularly for professionals who may feel pressured to sacrifice personal interests for their demanding roles [26][33]. - The situation raises questions about the expectations placed on healthcare workers and the potential health implications of balancing rigorous work schedules with personal commitments, such as competitive sports [33]. - The public's reaction reflects a generational divide in attitudes towards work and personal fulfillment, indicating a shift in societal values that may impact future workplace policies [26][27].

Group 1 - The partnership between sports brand 361 Degrees and marathon runner Zhang Shuihua has been temporarily suspended due to adjustments in their respective development paths [1] - 361 Degrees emphasized that the decision was made after friendly negotiations and does not affect collaborations with other athletes, highlighting a commitment to long-term development [1] - Zhang Shuihua recently won the women's domestic group championship at the Harbin Marathon with a time of 2 hours 35 minutes and 27 seconds, despite facing challenges during the race [1]