creation and design expenses that are centrally managed for the NIKE Brand. Revenues for Global Brand Divisions are primarily attributable to NIKE Brand licensing businesses that are not part of a geographic operating segment. 

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013 

For fiscal 2014, Global Brand Divisions’ loss before interest and taxes increased $275 million, primarily driven by an increase in centrally managed product costs, increased investments in our digital infrastructure, higher demand creation spending in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 to support the World Cup, and product creation and design initiatives. 

Fiscal 2013 Compared to Fiscal 2012 

For fiscal 2013, Global Brand Divisions’ loss before interest and taxes increased $267 million, primarily driven by increased investments and marketing support for our digital business, product creation and design initiatives, and higher demand creation spending in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 around the Olympics and European Football Championships. 

Converse 

In territories we define as “direct distribution markets,” Converse designs, markets, and sells products directly to distributors, wholesale customers, and to consumers through DTC operations. The largest direct distribution markets are the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Converse does not own the Converse trademarks in Japan. Territories other than direct distribution markets and Japan are serviced by third-party licensees who pay royalty revenues to Converse for the use of its registered trademarks and other intellectual property rights. 

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013 

Excluding changes in currency exchange rates, revenues for Converse increased 15% for fiscal 2014. Revenue growth in direct distribution markets, which represent approximately 84% of Converse revenues, contributed 16 percentage points to the total increase for fiscal 2014, while licensing revenues decreased overall revenue by 1 percentage point. Revenues from our direct distribution markets grew 19% for fiscal 2014 driven by growth in “comparable” direct distribution markets (i.e., markets served under a direct distribution model for comparable periods in the current and prior fiscal years), primarily the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. Comparable direct distribution markets revenue increased 13%, contributing 12 percentage points of direct distribution markets revenues growth for fiscal 2014, while conversion of markets from licensed to direct distribution contributed 7 percentage points. Comparable direct distribution markets unit sales increased 12% and average selling price per unit increased 1% for fiscal 2014. The increase in average selling price per unit resulted primarily from a favorable mix of higher priced product. Due to market conversions and business declines in Latin America, licensing revenues decreased 3% for fiscal 2014. 

On a reported basis, EBIT at Converse grew 17% for fiscal 2014 as higher revenues and gross margin were partially offset by higher selling and administrative expense. Gross margin increased 80 basis points, primarily due to growth in higher margin territories and products within our direct