DREAM CRAZY: A Masterpiece By Nike ft. Colin Kaepernick
‘Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything’.
Have your recently heard or read these lines somewhere? These words are taking over the internet today and will take over history too. They will be remembered as Nike’s heroic stand. It is an exclamation to the phrase ‘saying the right thing at the right time’.If you don’t know what we’re talking about, you need to watch Nike’s new ad. Go, take a look!
Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/Wd5L42egV8
— Nike (@Nike) September 5, 2018
It’s inspiring, gripping and hits us back to reality. It has brought people to tears and has given them goosebumps. But it alsohas some of them cutting off their Nike socks and burning their Nike shoes. Starring Colin Kaepernick, Nike’s new ad campaign hurt the feelings of racists, nationalists and patriots all over the USA that touched on the peaceful protests that Colin started during his tenure of playing for the NLF team. While there are anti-supporters trying to tarnish Nike’s image, the latter has come up with the perfect response to them. Although Nike is an official sponsor of the NFL team, they went ahead and announced Colin Kaepernick as their official face to head the campaign, supporting him and the social cause.It may have been a difficult decision to make, but the 50+ year old brand decided to go against their business decisions and took a big, yet successful risk. This ad touched the hearts of people around the world and resonated with the victims, resulting in support being poured in for Colin. It goes without saying that this video is a bold move. It is creating the right kind of buzz not only in the USA, but also around the globe. Nike is giving a voice to Colin’s protest, one that will reach the right audience and help him gather the right support. Today, brands have a unique personality and a set of beliefs that they aren’t afraid of showcasing. They use various mediums to promote their ideologies and not just their product. Not just the mainstream media, but Digital Media has also grown from just a means of marketing a product to raising social causes and raising awareness. The video has Colin’s voice over and features a number of athletes, both famous and amateur who overcame serious obstacles on their path to greatness. The video has Colin’s voice over and features a number of athletes, both famous and amateur who overcame serious obstacles on their path to greatness.
Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. #JustDoIt pic.twitter.com/SRWkMIDdaO — Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 3, 2018
Colin, the former quarterback,garnered national fame and criticism when he started kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem at the NFL games to protest the racial discrimination in the USA. His actions were supported by many and criticized by an equal amount of people, including the President, Donald Trump.
President Trump has been seen using the digital platform to express his feelings about this campaign. He Tweeted on this issue multiple times:
Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017
There were many people who showed their support via Twitter for Trump’s ideologies.
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions. pic.twitter.com/h8kj6RXe7j
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
First the @NFL forces me to choose between my favorite sport and my country. I chose country. Then @Nike forces me to choose between my favorite shoes and my country. Since when did the American Flag and the National Anthem become offensive? pic.twitter.com/4CVQdTHUH4
— Sean Clancy (@sclancy79) September 3, 2018
.@Nike Due to your support of C.K. in your coming adds, I as an American can no longer support your company. #boycottNike #IStandForOurFlag pic.twitter.com/5JxSMD8SSO
— AlterAtYeshiva (@alteratyeshiva) September 4, 2018
This house will no longer be buying any Nike stuff at all. @Nike you got your current campaign Soooo WRONG!!! Colin sacrificed nothing. Reality is he was not any good, go look at videos of his games. #BoycottNike pic.twitter.com/rC8Yx1RuPt
— Krista Kontny (@KristaKontny) September 4, 2018
The NFL responded to the ad stating, ‘The social-justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action’.
The NFL has released a statement on social justice, saying the issues that Colin Kaepernick and others have raised deserve attention and action. pic.twitter.com/QfmEUkXdjT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2018
Here are what the supporters had to say:
Nike clearly listened to the noise, the lovers, the haters, and in the end, decided to go with more Kaepernick.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 5, 2018
Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/Wd5L42egV8
— Nike (@Nike) September 5, 2018
The overall message of this commercial is empowering young people to try and achieve their dreams, overcome hardships, and be the best ever. How many will overlook that because of their vendetta against Kaepernick? https://t.co/E2LatOkO1S
— Matt Galka Fox 10 (@MattGalkaFox10) September 5, 2018
The impact hit Nike hard; they lost $3.75 Billion in the market, right after Colin Kaepernick was announced as the face of ‘Just Do It’ ads. NKE stocks dropped about 4% on Tuesday morning, as #NikeBoycott had been trending on Twitter.
According to industry expert Ken Morris, this was a calculated risk and would not have a negative impact on the brand.
This move is directed at the younger generation, aiming to connect with them as they put more thought into what a brand stands for before they make their purchase.
We love how Nike made their statement by making Colin Kaepernick the face of their brand and an absolute mic drop on the controversies surrounding him. At the end, any publicity is good publicity, and it will pay off in Nike’s favor.
Do you support Colin Kaepernick or think that Nike has gone too far? We would like to know your thoughts about this campaign. Comment and share.