First of all I don’t know if this is true.
I’ve enquired, but I’ve not had a definitive answer yet.
I hope to god it is though.
Not just because Kanye West does my bloody head in … not just because NIKE are my client and pay my mortgage … but because in a World where brands fold at the merest hint they’ve upset someone with something they’ve said/done, it’s a welcome relief to see one stand up for themselves, regardless of the implication.
So Kanye and NIKE have some history.
It culminated with Kanye going to work with Adidas and despite the fact he’s done very well out of that collaboration, he never misses a chance to act like a spoilt child towards NIKE.
Recently, at the ridiculous launch party of his new album he [allegedly] tweeted this:
Minutes later, it is alleged NIKE responded with this:
Now some people would say NIKE should have kept quiet.
That opening their mouth took them didn’t just take them down to Kanye’s level, but potentially alienated millions of people.
But I have a very different point of view.
I think it’s awesome they defended themselves.
I think the way they [allegedly] did it was bloody wonderful.
Sure, some may see it as petty, but I see it as cheeky and mischievous and as I’ve written before, I think those traits are incredibly undervalued by brands in terms of their commercial appeal and value.
And I think it’s as likely to attract millions of people rather than alienate.
Hell, if I didn’t wear Birkenstocks, I’d have rushed out and bought a whole bunch of NIKE’s stuff to congratulate them on such an epic smackdown.
But I also know if I did that I may harm the companies reputation far more than some childish chants by Mr Kardashian.
So well done NIKE, I am just praying it wasn’t some [early] April Fools joke.