Nike debuted three new spots for its WNBA ad campaign
during last night's Liberty-Rockers season opener on
Lifetime. The spots, from CA-based Goodby, Silverstein &
Partners, feature three young girls sharing stories with the
WNBA's Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie and
highlight the women's basketball shoes associated with each
of the players: Cooper's Air Shake 'Em Up; Leslie's Total
Air 9 and Swoopes' Air Swoopes (THE DAILY).
COOPER: In one spot, the girls see Comets G Cynthia
Cooper in a diner, and one girl says: "Cynthia Cooper,
guard, Houston Comets." Cooper: "Yeah, hi. What's your
name?" The girl: Why'd you pull up for a three on the break
last night?" Cooper: "Well I was open and..." The girl:
"Tina [Thompson] was open on the block." Cooper: "Yeah,
well..." The girl: "You know she's money down there. Why'd
you take it? I know I wouldn't have." Cooper: "Because I
was open." The girl: "My mama says because is not an
answer." Cooper: "Your mama's right, but..." The girl:
"You should have hit Tina down low." Cooper: "I promise I
will next time." The girl: "Assuming there is a next time.
The way I see it, you owe Tina an apology" (THE DAILY).
LESLIE: In another spot, the girls see Sparks C Lisa
Leslie. The lead girl: "You're Lisa Leslie. Center, L.A.
Sparks." Leslie: "Yeah, what's your name?" The girl: "New
York's going to shut you down. Unless..." Leslie: "New
York's going to what?" The girl: "I said, unless (pulling
out play charts). Here. Try these tomorrow night."
Leslie: "What's this?" The girl: "It's what's going to get
you over the hump against New York." Leslie: "What?" The
girl: "Use them in the second half -- Catch them off-guard."
Leslie: "I'll show these to coach." The girl: "Whatever.
Suit yourself. Just a little friendly advice" (THE DAILY).
SWOOPES: In the third spot, the girls speak to Comets F
Sheryl Swoopes on a playground, while Swoopes plays with her
son, Jordan, on a swing. The girl: "You're Sheryl Swoopes.
Forward, Houston Comets." Swoopes: "How are you doing?"
The girl: "You got some pretty good moves. You're fast,
anyway." Swoopes: "Thanks. I guess." The girl: "You know,
your jump shot could be better. You're releasing the ball
too soon." Swoopes: "It's fixable." The girl: "With work."
Swoopes: "Girl, where is your mama?" The girl: "My mama
can't help your jump shot. Does he have a jumper?"
Swoopes: "He's only 11 months old." The girl: "I had a jump
shot at his age. I had a good jumper" (THE DAILY).
BUICK'S WNBA PROMO: From June 21-July 1, more than 830
Sears stores will give customers the chance to guess the
number of WNBA basketballs it takes to fill a Buick Regal
GS. Entrants who answer correctly will be entered into a
random drawing for the chance to win one of 10 Regal GS's,
the official car of the WNBA. The grand prize winner will
have a Regal delivered by Comets G Cynthia Cooper (Sears).