42 replies to this topic

[Tim]

I'm sure this will piss of some of the folks around here, but oh well. I say AMEN to the message in these ads.

http://i.imgur.com/xNHVq.jpg

And this:

http://www.wearenotj...s.com/book.html

[andicamp]

This doesn't necessarily piss me off, but it definitely makes me roll my eyes.

[Clover]

This isn't bad, but I'll bet it was written by some marketing copywriter who doesn't even run but thought it would appeal to male high-school cross country runners. We're always looking for ways to appeal to the mentality of the male high-schooler. If he achieves his high-school and college PRs wearing our brand, our logo will appeal to him on a Pavlovian level for the rest of his life, calling to mind his glory days. He'll smile and reminisce as he puts on his shoes--our brand--to jog around the neighborhood on Saturday morning while the kids are watching cartoons, or to train for the marathon he just wants to complete.

I used to write a lot of the consumer-facing copy for Nike's social media, but was pulled off that task by a woman in marketing who doesn't even run. She disliked that I was invariably supportive and encouraging to runners of all speeds. She said she wanted our social media voice to be edgier, with more swagger and even a hint of scorn toward non-competitors.

[Ben F]

I'm sure this will piss of some of the folks around here, but oh well. I say AMEN to the message in these ads.

What? Why is a PAFAR cheering an ad campaign that says this:

"Joggers mostly stick to gentrified stretches of pedestrian walkway, where they can exchange greetings with rollerbladers or purchase a snow cone if the fancy strikes them. Runners, on the other hand, cut through dumpster-laden back alleys or disappear into remote wooded areas. And when they get there, they are acutely aware of their surroundings, because running makes them more alive. So it's no surprise that every forensics program on TV begins with a runner finding the remains of some poor bastard who hopped in the wrong panel van. Actually, with runners being such a dangerous breed, maybe the whole body-finding thing is more than a coincidence."

What? The ad campaign is weird and awkward, and the whole experience of flipping through that online book was off-putting.

[SusanB]

My big issue with the first ad is that they put a time limit on jogging a marathon vs racing a marathon. I know several runners who race the marathon (to the best of their abilities) and are racing the 6 hour cut off time that some races have. They are working just as hard as some of those 3 hour marathoners, just at a different pace.

[andicamp]

There are so many reasons this is lame that it's hard to boil it down, but the simplest way to put it is that it appeals to the "when other people do something, completely separate from me, it changes the value of me doing the same thing" mentality. Some people eat that shit up, but really, no one should de-value someone else's experience because it varies from their own. I mean, seriously, grow up. That kind of stuff originates from some base sense of insecurity.
Besides, one of the beauties of running is that anyone can do it.
Also, one of the beauties of life in general is trying new things, and enjoying things that you aren't necessarily good at.
I could go on ad nauseum, but you get the point.

[Joe D.]

Geez, I'm just going to start keeping my opinions to myself.

I'll take "Idle Threats" for $500, Alex.

Keep the opinions coming Tim. Agree or disagree, the debates are always worthwhile and entertaining. But Clover adds $500 to her score

As far as shoe companies aiming for the high school crowd, apparently that's why adidas signed Katy Perry (not known for competitive marathoning):

Behold: The ClimaCool Seduction, brought to you by Adidas' Katy Perry

[Fidel]

It's just an ad. It will appeal to some people that feel racing is where it's at but won't appeal to others that like to click off countless jog/gossip miles at 8:30 pace.

If they're really serious about racing and running fast, they'd have a track and field line.

[Tim]

Keep the opinions coming Tim. Agree or disagree, the debates are always worthwhile and entertaining. But Clover adds $500 to her score

Sorry, guess I thought that meant opinions on training/racing expectations of other members. If that meant keeping any and all opinions to myself, then there's really no need for me to post on this message board at all, since most everything I would post would be my opinion.

Seems like I'm getting a bit beaten up lately on anything I do post here, so I think it's time for me to take a break from it for a while.*

See ya!

*Well, except for the RNR pacing thread, since I agreed to head that up.

[Daniel]

Sorry, guess I thought that meant opinions on training/racing expectations of other members. If that meant keeping any and all opinions to myself, then there's really no need for me to post on this message board at all, since most everything I would post would be my opinion.

Seems like I'm getting a bit beaten up lately on anything I do post here, so I think it's time for me to take a break from it for a while.*

See ya!

*Well, except for the RNR pacing thread, since I agreed to head that up.

Tim:

I think the ad was spot on and sorry folks it does not discriminate based on speed it discrimates on whether a person is running or jogging at their personal physical ability. This world is way to PC. Tim please don't stop posting as it is a breathe of fresh air to actually here somebody's true opinion. Time for some pot stirring.

Danimal

[Fidel]

Seems like I'm getting a bit beaten up lately on anything I do post here, so I think it's time for me to take a break from it for a while.*

See ya!

*Well, except for the RNR pacing thread, since I agreed to head that up.

Tim, don't goooooooooooooooooo....

You do know everyone's full of crap on here but just at different levels. Joe D. is not full of crap, though...:-)

[andicamp]

Which part of it is spot on? The "I'm better than you because I'm a real runner part", or the "you trying to enjoy the sport on your own terms is threatening to me" part?

[Clover]

Tim, if this is a ploy to get us to beg you to stay, it's working. You make this place interesting. I like not agreeing with people all the time--especially when the people in question enjoy a healthy debate.

[Daniel]

Which part of it is spot on? The "I'm better than you because I'm a real runner part", or the "you trying to enjoy the sport on your own terms is threatening to me" part?

I didn't interpret the advertisment as you say "I'm better than you because I'm a real runner part" and "you trying to enjoy the sport on your own terms is threatening to me part" That must be your personal opinion of the advertisement and you assume to much if you think I believe the quotes you wrote.


Danimal

[andicamp]

Ok, so summarize in a sentence or two what the message is that speaks to you, that is spot on, as you put it.