Just Do It
Just a hunch, but I'll bet the folks in Nike's marketing department are white-boarding their next Tiger ad as we speak.
Tiger Woods' birdie chip on the 16th green in the final round at Augusta will be one of the most played highlights in the history of golf. If you missed it, Woods' chip made a 90-degree turn down a ridge and headed for the hole. The ball reached the hole, teetered on the edge for a good two seconds, then dropped into the cup.
For Nike, this is a no-brainer. The Nike swoosh logo was facing the camera perfectly, resonating in the minds of the millions watching the final holes of one of golf's grandest tournaments.
Just do it.
And it did. The ball, which had seemingly stopped, dropped into the hole, giving Woods a two-shot lead over Chris DiMarco. Woods eventually won his fourth Masters on the first hole of a playoff, but it was this chip that will be talked about and replayed over and over.
For Nike, the moment was a gift. Whatever ad campaign they were working on is scrapped. Tiger Woods. The Masters. Incredible chip. Nike ball.
Nike couldn't have scripted this any better.
Look for the ad.
Did anyone else think of Caddyshack except for me and Bill Simmons from ESPN's Page 2 when that ball teetered on the rim and then dropped?
Posted by: Troy Hatlevig | April 13, 2005 at 08:30 AM
You have to be kidding me! I thought the same thing. That is one of the great sports movies of all time.
Posted by: Kevin | April 13, 2005 at 05:12 PM
Where's Bill Murray when you need him?
Posted by: Dan | April 14, 2005 at 02:22 PM