Bloghound

Good on Nike for turning Don Imus’ outrageous comments about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team into a more positive conversation about public speech, women athletes and the game itself. Nike ran this full page print ad in last Sunday’s (April 15) New York Times, and plans to roll out banner ads this week that make it easy to pass the ad along to a friend.

A great piece of conversational marketing — tying into a relevant news item with a fresh point of view that provokes new conversations.

“Thank you, ignorance.

Thank you for starting the conversation.

Thank you for making an entire nation listen to the Rutgers’ team story. And for making us wonder what other great stories we’ve missed.

Thank you for reminding us to think before we speak.

Thank you for showing us how strong and poised 18 and 20-year-old women can be.

Thank you for reminding us that another basketball tournament goes on in March.

Thank you for showing us that sport includes more than the time spent on the court.

Thank you for unintentionally moving women’s sport forward.

And thank you for making all of us realize that we still have a long way to go.

Next season starts 11.16.07.”

Imus/a> Nike

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