GOP Presidential nominee Bob Dole Wednesday suggested a new
anti-drug slogan of "Just don't do it," and while Dole did not
say how he planned to use the tag line, Nike said it is
"uncomfortable" with the proposed slogan, according to
ADVERTISING AGE. The slogan is a "revision" of the current "Just
say no" moniker, and a "takeoff" on Nike's ad line "Just do it."
Nike Dir of Public Relations Jim Small: "We're a sports and
fitness company, but we're uncomfortable that our company and the
slogan is being brought into the political arena." Small
stressed Nike supports Dole's call to keep drugs away from
children and noted that should Dole be elected and use the "Just
don't do it" line as his "anti-drug rallying cry," Nike doesn't
believe it will undermine "Just do it," nor does Nike feel their
line will be viewed as an "endorsement of opposing values" (AD
AGE, 9/19).
POST THIS: ESPN's Bob Ley noted Nike denied a N.Y. POST
story that claimed they are paying New York high school coaches
to wear shoes and apparel. A Nike spokesperson told
"SportsCenter" that Nike gives money to "the right high schools,"
but Nike said it doesn't pay the coaches directly as the money is
earmarked for travel expenses to high profile national
tournaments ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/18).
