Current Affairs Nike - Colin Kaepernick

[Raindog]

Whataboutism

Sure all those things you say are true.

But they didn't have to get behind Colin in this regard, and in the process alienate a very large minority of people who would buy their stuff.

They could have continued being a company that 1) maximizes profits by operating sweat shops.

Now they are a company that 1) maximizes profits by operating sweat shops AND 2) is publicly behind the unpopular Colin Kaepernick.

While 3) Making more from the people who now see Nike as a friend of the downtrodden than from lost sales.

Maybe, I can't say. Sorry, jaded and cynical and can't see how a company the size and with the track record (pun intended) of Nike wouldn't have crunched the numbers to make a profit.

I have zero evidence though. Just an opinion, like.

Hope I'm wrong though.

 

[ClausThomsen]

Whataboutism

Sure all those things you say are true.

But they didn't have to get behind Colin in this regard, and in the process alienate a very large minority of people who would buy their stuff.

They could have continued being a company that 1) maximizes profits by operating sweat shops.

Now they are a company that 1) maximizes profits by operating sweat shops AND 2) is publicly behind the unpopular Colin Kaepernick.

Unpopular with whom? After his protest he had the most popular selling NFL shirt on the market - way in excess of his standing in the game from a performance point of view. That's a clear indication that his image carries significant appeal.

It's a calculated risk in marketing and while they'll take a short-term hit from some people there'll be a boost in sales from other people with the added bonus of presenting the brand in a certain righteous light.

Kaepernick has rose to worldwide prominence with his admirable stance against the extreme mistreatment, killing and oppression of, in his words, "black people and people of colour". Nike are seeking to market themselves on his stance and paint themselves as defenders of equality while at the same time condoning the systematic abuse, exploitation and disregard for the safety of black people and people of colour in order to boost profits.

It's not Whataboutism - it's highlighting blatant cynicism and hypocrisy.

 

[ilikecheese]

It's utterly ridiculous how Trump and the MAGAzombies have totally derailed the conversation.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

Unpopular with whom? After his protest he had the most popular selling NFL shirt on the market - way in excess of his standing in the game from a performance point of view. That's a clear indication that his image carries significant appeal.

It's a calculated risk in marketing and while they'll take a short-term hit from some people there'll be a boost in sales from other people with the added bonus of presenting the brand in a certain righteous light.

Kaepernick has rose to worldwide prominence with his admirable stance against the extreme mistreatment, killing and oppression of, in his words, "black people and people of colour". Nike are seeking to market themselves on his stance and paint themselves as defenders of equality while at the same time condoning the systematic abuse, exploitation and disregard for the safety of black people and people of colour in order to boost profits.

It's not Whataboutism - it's highlighting blatant cynicism and hypocrisy.

Fair enough. I guess what I'm saying is that it certainly comes with a heavy dose of risk. Risk that a company like Nike doesn't necessarily need to put itself on the map - it IS the map

 

[Prevenger17]

But they didn't have to get behind Colin in this regard, and in the process alienate a very large minority of people who would buy their stuff.

What do you care?

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

What do you care?

I don't understand your question.

I don't care

 

[ClausThomsen]

Fair enough. I guess what I'm saying is that it certainly comes with a heavy dose of risk. Risk that a company like Nike doesn't necessarily need to put itself on the map - it IS the map

Regardless of size or market share there's always an almost irrational fear of being out of touch and a desire to be just edgy enough. Look at Pepsi with that ridiculous Kyle Jenner protest advert

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

Regardless of size or market share there's always an almost irrational fear of being out of touch and a desire to be just edgy enough. Look at Pepsi with that ridiculous Kyle Jenner protest advert

I cite Exhibit A - the NFL's rush to get in line with the mainstream about the kneeling during the anthem.

To quote the great Hyman Roth, one could have argued the NFL was bigger than US Steel and, by extension, completely untouchable. They caved.

Nike, however, is taking the opposite stance.

 

[ClausThomsen]

I cite Exhibit A - the NFL's rush to get in line with the mainstream about the kneeling during the anthem.

To quote the great Hyman Roth, one could have argued the NFL was bigger than US Steel and, by extension, completely untouchable. They caved.

Nike, however, is taking the opposite stance.

I'm not well up on the movers and shakers in the NFL but did many franchise owners or other powerful figures within the organisation sympathise with Kaepernick's protest or speak out against it? Would their own individual opinions hold more sway than any fear of the perceived mainstream mood?

I'm not knowledgeable so I'm speculating but they may have a bit more in common with Trump than a (admittedly very wealthy) young black man.

 

[Prevenger17]

I don't understand your question.

I don't care

Soz, misread your stance

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

I'm not well up on the movers and shakers in the NFL but did many franchise owners or other powerful figures within the organisation sympathise with Kaepernick's protest or speak out against it? Would their own individual opinions hold more sway than any fear of the perceived mainstream mood?

I'm not knowledgeable so I'm speculating but they may have a bit more in common with Trump than a (admittedly very wealthy) young black man.

Exactly

Most, if not all, the owners wanted the "nonsense" to stop as quickly as possible and get back to the business of printing money, regardless of whether they agreed with Kaep or not.

Further, if you're like me, you fully believe that the NFL has blackballed Kaepernick, meaning that all 32 owners are on board to keep their money safe.

Which means what Nike did, while perhaps not atoning for all their sins, is certainly a move that's sure to anger a material amount of "movers and shakers" as you put it.

 

[Goat]

@TX Bill

 

[dublinbluenose]

 

[Bruce Wayne]

@TX Bill

I mean it's a cool ad for sure. I still have vivid memories of their Lance ad

 

[Steve0]

While 3) Making more from the people who now see Nike as a friend of the downtrodden than from lost sales.

Maybe, I can't say. Sorry, jaded and cynical and can't see how a company the size and with the track record (pun intended) of Nike wouldn't have crunched the numbers to make a profit.

I have zero evidence though. Just an opinion, like.

Hope I'm wrong though.

Yeah there's no way Nike haven't risk assessed this before they went ahead. For one thing American law proscribes them from acting in a way that's detrimental to their share holders. i.e unless they had reasons to believe this would benefit them it would effectively be illegal.

It still highlights the injustice so it's difficult to criticise the campaign.