Riding the Nike Reaction Train
Nike's tone-deaf poster has garnered a backlash amongst runners across social media, and the running companies are hopping on board. From small run clubs to shoe companies to hat makers, they're all taking advantage of Nike's misstep.
Easy ad choice to make for a company. Jumping on what separates the brand and reaffirms what your brand stands for. It may feel eye-rolling to see everyone jump on board, and I'm sure it feels that way after you've seen half a dozen of these on your timeline, but it's better to put your message out there than not.
Adidas' Sub-2-hour Marathon Shoes
The best advertisement for a niche $500 dollar shoe is breaking records in a niche sports event. Adidas made a good bet on these runners. The shoe hasn't been released yet and it's already winning races and winning them impressively. For a shoe like this, you need to think outside of the cool box. I'm thinking the angle almost every shoe has had since Jordan's Air 1s. The dedicated runner and those with disposable incomes aren't looking to fit into the cool box. Not outside of their fellow runners, anyway. Everyone else wants sensible comfortable shoes that makes them feel fast and cool.
Burger King Enters The Race
Almost on the opposite side of Nike comes Burger King with an ad campaign for the hungry runners. The selling point are the pics. Big, bold, really captivating, and dynamic. Mid-munch with nicely colored, the time (for eating the burger), and a BK logo in the corner. Remove these and you'd have an homage to Andy Warhol Eating a Hamburger. Which, funny enough, was a Burger King burger though not a commercial.
