The NBA Playoffs start today folks, and will Nike get it right this year? Wouldn’t that be wonderful though? Nike could finally get that ROI from all of those MVP Puppet commercials. Last year, Nike’s idea was genius, but when LeBron James and the Cavs were ousted in the Eastern Conference Finals by Superman II and his Magic squad, the commercials, well were just kind of, well, yeah. No purpose.
What?! Nike predicted wrong? They did succeed in getting under Superman II’s skin though. He felt truly disrespected by Nike’s Lakers/Cavs Finals prediction, so early in the season. I guess that’s what fueled him and his team to beat the Cavs in seven. The Magic later went on to meet the Lakers in the Finals and you know the rest.
Round 2: The Puppets came back earlier this season and had more stories to tell! I loved those commercials! So creative. Nike got off the whole championship ring, Kobe vs. LeBron thing, after they threw salt in Puppet LeBron’s open wound, and just made it more of like a BFF journey! It’s healthy competition! Nike is illustrating this between two of the greatest players in the game today. These MVP Puppets had adventures and everything – dunking on Santa Claus, rapping reindeer, Kobe’s “New Shoes” – all that! Even LeBron’s Teammate, Big Z, made an appearance at the barber shop, “What’s up LeBron (in my Big Z voice)?!” Pure hilarity! These puppets even made it to SportsCenter! Great product placement, although Nike does not need it! The brand is GENIUS!
What happened to the MVP Puppets?! *Becky Shrug* Who knows? They may debut a new commercial during the games today! Stay tuned and happy Playoffs everyone!
SPEAK ON IT =)
Rebecca K. Roussell
