Nike Pulls Controversial Print Ads From New Ad Campaign
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Nike Pulls Three Print Ads From
New Hyperdunk Ad Campaign |
Nike Friday pulled three print ads from its ad campaign for the new Hyperdunk shoe that "bloggers and other critics said fostered anti-gay messages," according to Brent Hunsberger of the Portland OREGONIAN. Nike, which previously had voiced support for the ads, via Wieden & Kennedy (W&K), Portland, in a statement said it would withdraw them to "underline our ongoing commitment to supporting diversity in sport and the workplace." Nike Oregon Region Communications Dir Bob Applegate said that "three separate poster and billboard ads would be taken down 'as expeditiously as possible'" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/26). Nike in the statement added, "After listening to concerns expressed around specific executions, we have decided to drop them from the campaign." TRUE HOOP's Henry Abbott reported while Nike did not disclose which executions it would eliminate, the ads with the taglines "That Ain't Right" and "Punks Jump Up" had been removed from W&K's blog. Abbott: "Was it right to kill those ads? Hard to say. It's a fine line between actual progress and cold-hearted political correctness" (ESPN.com, 7/25). SPORTING NEWS' Chris Littmann writes Nike has "garnered so much positive buzz for this shoe that it was probably wise to nip this issue quickly rather than allowing it to fester and become a distraction" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/28). W&K on its blog responded to the withdrawal of the ads by posting an entry titled, "Hypersensitive, Y'all?" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/28).
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