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A writer by passion and profession, I've been writing since I was old enough to know how, so establishing a weblog
seemed a natural progression. By adding a blog to my site, I can speak about my passions and life, share my writing, art
and photos, and comment on current events.
Thursday, February 20, 2003
New Nike Ad has Doglovers Ready for Battle Click photo for screen captures of the snippet. A new Nike ad entitled "The Battle" (view it here by clicking on "The Battle," and then "See the Ad" via Quicktime) which features face-offs of basketball players both on the court and on the street includes a short and unexplainable snippet of dogs fighting -- perpetuating stereotypes regarding breeds.
Nike spokeswoman Celeste Alleyne says the commercial is not encouraging dog fighting. She said the dogs could have just met while being walked down the street. "The dogs never make contact," Alleyne said. "It's just about fighting each other and winning at all odds."
...Alleyne insists Nike is simply trying to sell shoes. "You have to understand the youth culture we cater to, the edgy, hip-hop culture we are trying to reach," she said. "So we were going for an edgier, racier ad." But the people who love the breeds say images such as those portrayed in the commercial cause the wrong people to want the dogs and the right people to fear them.
"We're constantly fighting this stereotype," said Tom Collinsworth of the Southern States Rottweiler Rescue, which tries to save abandoned Rottweilers in 11 states, including Georgia. Ami Brooks, who rescues pit bulls, asked why, if Nike wasn't trying to promote street fighting, it chose two breeds closely associated with it.
The so-called "youth culture" Nike is trying to "cater to" should feel equally insulted by the stereotyping and not buy into what Nike is selling--besides the shoes.
Badrap issued an alert asking animal lovers to communicate to Nike that there is nothing athletic or sports-like about dog fighting:
To tell Nike how you feel, Phone 1-800-806-6453 or email their customer service people: Nike Cust Help
To tell Wieden & Kennedy (the ad agency) how you feel -- 503-937 7000 or email Nike Ad.
Please demand that Nike pull the dog image out of the ad. Additionally, BAD RAP would like to see Nike repair the damage by running a pro-bono educational ad about the humane treatment of dogs.
New Nike Ad has Doglovers Ready for Battle
