On the day before Tiger Woods returned to golf after a five month hiatus, Nike released an ad that will likely become one of the most memorable Nike commercials of all-time.
Titled “Earl and Tiger,” the 30 second black-and-white commercial features a stoic Woods staring into the camera as the voice of his late father, Earl Woods, is heard.
“Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion,” Earl Woods says. “I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And, did you learn anything?”
Although Nike has always produced daring marketing campaigns, the apparel company may have crossed the line with the “Earl and Tiger” commercial. Nike wants their consumers to have sympathy for Tiger so that they will continue to buy the products that he endorses. It’s savvy from a business standpoint, but it’s very disrespectful to Earl Woods. His personal message to his son should have remained private.
Does the “Earl and Tiger” commercial show Tiger Woods in a reflective moment, or did he sell out a private exchange with his father to sell shoes?
–amir shaw
