CNBC's Sue Herera yesterday noted that Nike has "quietly
pulled the plug on its Ken Griffey for President ad campaign."
Herera said Griffey "allegedly wasn't happy" with the "Griffey in
'96" campaign, but "observers say the fact the Mariners aren't
likely to make it to postseason play figured prominently in
Nike's decision." Herera: "Now Griffey has some idea how Steve
Forbes and Pat Buchanan feel" ("SportsView," CNBC, 9/12).
CUT TO HEADQUARTERS: In Portland, Jeff Manning notes an
article in the latest issue of George Magazine where Griffey
offers up an "obscenity-laced tirade" on the campaign: "Griffey
for President -- what kind of (bleeping, bleeping, bleeping) idea
is that?" Manning writes that critics "praised" the campaign as
another "ingenious creation" from Nike's ad firm, Portland-based
Wieden & Kennedy. Wieden & Kennedy Creative Dir Jim Riswold: "It
was a highly intelligent, fun campaign." New York-based free-
lance writer Corey Johnson, who profiled Griffey for George,
defended Griffey, saying the tirade is "not who Ken Griffey, Jr,
is." Griffey was unavailable for comment. Wieden & Kennedy's
Riswold said the decision to end the campaign was financial,
adding, "Whether Nike pulled the plug on this thing because of
Ken's reaction, you'll have to ask them." Nike Spokesperson
Robin Carr-Locke said Nike opted to end the campaign when it
became clear the Mariners wouldn't be in the World Series
(Portland OREGONIAN, 9/12).
