Nike to withdraw negative crotch-to-face advertising campaign
”Nike is strongly opposed to discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting athletes regardless of their sexual orientation. The advertisement in question is based purely upon a common insight from within the game of basketball — the athletic feat of dunking on the opposition, and is not intended to be offensive. However, after listening to concerns expressed around specific executions, we have decided to drop them from the campaign to underline our ongoing commitment to supporting diversity in sport and the workplace. Nike has a strong record of support for diversity and is proud to have been honored with a 100 percent score over several consecutive years in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.”
Statement e-mailed by Nike to media outlets regarding their decision to drop their current Hyperdunk print ads that feature male baskeball players jumping in the air and rubbing their groins in (assumably) opposing male players faces. Catchphrases are superimposed over the images that make the ads appear homophobic, such as: “That Ain’t Right,” “Punks Jump Up,” and “Isn’t that Cute.” Much criticism was generated by blog sites like Gawker. (ESPN TrueHoop) (The Oregonian)
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