The Copy Hostess Back Catalog: Nike, do you need some Natural Balance?

Originally published: September 11th.

CURRENT MOOD:

So we need to talk about that ad. Because we’re advertisers and it’s the law.

I don’t want to talk about Colin Kaepernick or his decision to kneel. This is not a politics newsletter, and I’d rather save that discussion for the proper venue.

Let’s talk about the fact that Nike’s ad department is full of fucking whores.

Yes. I said whores.

Playing upon politics and blatantly harnessing emotions around something else, with no cleverness, nuance, or new insight into the conversation… it’s not clever advertising.

It’s emotional prostitution on par with the worst of the skeezy Carl’s Jr ads with naked women washing cars while eating burgers.

I for one am sick to death of companies harnessing current events for ads in an effort to channel genuine anger and outrage (plus a lot of exaggerated, yet-unarticulated opinions) in the direction of their products.

At least companies like Paddy Power mess with people to provoke genuine thought and consideration around issues. Ads can and should be thought…