New Nike Ad featuring 12 year old...opinions?

Im_NotPerfect
Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
in Motivation and Support
I was just reading an article on CNN about the new Nike Ad featuring a 12 year old overweight boy running in...of course...Nike shoes. The question was, are they exploiting him or is it inspiring?

So I thought I'd get the opinions here. What do you think?

If you haven't seen it...here's a link (I think!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JnYcuRW_qo
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Replies

  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    I didn't realize that was a 12-year-old! I've read an interview with him and he said something to the effect that doing the commercial was a real eye-opener for him (he didn't realize how hard it would be to run even that short distance) and that he was going to start trying to be healthy.

    But whenever I hear of kids running all I can think of is this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/02/23/us-girl-running-murder-charge.html

    As long as he's got adults helping him and letting him know what's healthy and what's not, then I guess it's okay. But if they're doing it for their own reasons, well, it could be a bad thing.
  • cass0107
    cass0107 Posts: 15 Member
    I don't know any in-depth information to this story - I've seen the commercial and I read a small piece about it, but I found it very inspiring. From what I read he gets up before school everyday to run. The fact that he has that dedication at such a young age I think is great. He inspires me to get off my butt and do things when I don't want to - if a 12 year old has that discipline, I should, too!
  • Mama_Jag
    Mama_Jag Posts: 474 Member
    I think it's great.
  • Pedal_Pusher
    Pedal_Pusher Posts: 1,166 Member
    What? 12 year olds aren't supposed to run? I don't understand the controversy.
  • jkeeling39
    jkeeling39 Posts: 30
    I could see how it could be taken as exploitation of this kid and other kids in his situation. But if it gets just one person off the couch to make a change for the better then I think it is a great commercial.
  • rfarinha
    rfarinha Posts: 388 Member
    I saw both the young man and his Mom on the Today Show. Neither one of them expected that there would be a "controversy" over the commercial. I especially love what the young man said... "Some people have nothing better to do" if they want to complain about the commercial. LOVE IT! He said that it was fun and that he felt special that he was chosen!

    Personally I LOVE the message of the commercial... you don't have to be a highly trained athlete to "Find your Greatness"... it's within all of us!
  • bluiz13
    bluiz13 Posts: 3,550 Member
    i think it is great and hopes it motivates other young overweight people to get active....if one can do why can't all of them....we will become a more fit nation for sure....

    makes me want to get up in the AM to run - if he can do it why can't i?????

    soooo, tomorrow i will!!!!
  • bcampbell54
    bcampbell54 Posts: 932 Member
    I thought it was a touching commercial, and well done.
    Not many of us "ran" like that when I was little, but we did a whole lot of other activities.
    We stayed active.
  • rfarinha
    rfarinha Posts: 388 Member
    What? 12 year olds aren't supposed to run? I don't understand the controversy.

    The "controversy" is because the 12 yr old weighs 200 lbs. But I agree with the boy... some people have nothing better to do but look for stuff to complain about.
  • suenix24
    suenix24 Posts: 121 Member
    I thought it was a great commercial.
  • gogojodee
    gogojodee Posts: 1,243 Member
    LOL he looks old. I know I'm fat but I don't look THAT old. And he's only 5'3"? Wow.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    What? 12 year olds aren't supposed to run? I don't understand the controversy.

    The debate is because the boy weighs more than 99% of other kids his age (according to the CNN article). Some people feel that Nike is exploiting that for the commercial. Some people find it inspiring.
  • Nikkei24
    Nikkei24 Posts: 282 Member
    I saw this commercial and at first thought w.t.f. but than I thought they should show people who run no matter what age or size. I also want to point out that my Fiance was really inspired by the commercial and after it ended literally said to me how great he thinks it is. It is meant to be inspiring if you view it any other way it is you not the commercial.
  • Jipples
    Jipples Posts: 650 Member
    While obviously I hate to see that he's overweight, I love the commercial and find it inspiring. The kid is out there doing his thing and he's working. I find it more identifiable than a "perfect" athlete wearing the shoes.
  • mom2dms
    mom2dms Posts: 152 Member
    I was just reading an article on CNN about the new Nike Ad featuring a 12 year old overweight boy running in...of course...Nike shoes. The question was, are they exploiting him or is it inspiring?

    So I thought I'd get the opinions here. What do you think?

    If you haven't seen it...here's a link (I think!):

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JnYcuRW_qo

    I saw an interview with him yesterday. He said he auditioned for the part and had fun doing it. Maybe it will help jump start a new path for him to get healthy
  • ThePhoenixRose
    ThePhoenixRose Posts: 1,978 Member
    i didn't know it was a kid either. i LOVE the commercial though.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Dare I hope that this is first in a series, that he keeps running and learning, and by the next Olympics is lettering in track?
  • Rebel2267
    Rebel2267 Posts: 23
    Obviously the boy's parents were involved. It isn't as if Nike just plucked him off the street, filmed the commercial and told him to get lost. No way this is exploitation, especially since it may open the eyes of both the young and old about the state of our children's physical fitness. Sure, they may get a few more shoe sales out of the deal, but so what? Companies can be both for profit, and not evil.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    Human nature. People are going to try to find a reason to be offended. You can't please everyone.
  • ChrisRS87
    ChrisRS87 Posts: 781 Member
    I found it to be inspiring.
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    How can someone exploit someone else, when there has been an agreement to do it? Not to mention, his parents needed to be involved, and he probably got paid a huge lump sum of money!

    People are silly.
  • AliDarling
    AliDarling Posts: 373
    I like it. It sheds some light on how obesity has affected kids so much and how he knows what he needs to do. I wish they had that commerical when i was 12 and 200lbs.
  • amoffatt
    amoffatt Posts: 674 Member
    I love this Nike Ad!!! I am about 50 pounds overweight but want to be able to jog/run on a daily basis without stopping. I push myself and am excited when I ran a cross country track up and down a hill on dirt and bark chips in 96 degree weather for 7 minutes strait! Some laugh but it was great for me.

    Not everyone has to be thin to start jogging or even walking. People complain that bigger individuals dont get up and move but when they do, fingers point and laugh. Of course not everyone is like this, but these are reasons why I would not leave my house to enjoy the outside to jog, now, I say screw it! I have every right to be out there with everyone else.

    Thank you Nike for this inspirational ad!:bigsmile:
  • Loulady
    Loulady Posts: 511 Member
    Dare I hope that this is first in a series, that he keeps running and learning, and by the next Olympics is lettering in track?

    Oh, hopefully someone in Nike marketing has thought of that.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    Dare I hope that this is first in a series, that he keeps running and learning, and by the next Olympics is lettering in track?

    Apparently he and his mom have agreed to work together to get healthy and in shape. Then Nike said they'd consider a follow up ad if they're successful. I'd love to see that personally!
  • xoMeaghan
    xoMeaghan Posts: 175
    I think it's amazing! If he believes he should be fit at this age, then imagine where he will be 10 years from now. In my opinion, I know many people may view it differently, it's like they're speaking to all kids who are obese(with numbers raising now-a-days), if he could do it, then why couldn't other children?

    I'm rooting for him! That is an amazing kid.
  • heretoloseit95
    heretoloseit95 Posts: 78
    I think it's a great ad and very inspiring.
    I don't think that just because you're a kid, you're allowed to eat whatever you want. Being a kid is not an excuse, that's why alot of kids are overweight nowadays. You have to learn being healthy and adjust to this lifestyle from a very young age, I'm glad this boy is realizing it so soon <3
  • mom2dms
    mom2dms Posts: 152 Member


    But whenever I hear of kids running all I can think of is this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/02/23/us-girl-running-murder-charge.html

    As long as he's got adults helping him and letting him know what's healthy and what's not, then I guess it's okay. But if they're doing it for their own reasons, well, it could be a bad thing.


    I'm a little confused .. kids can't run simply because they enjoy it?
    My girls get up and run 7-8 miles every single morning. They are my motivation.
  • Tennessee2019
    Tennessee2019 Posts: 676 Member
    As one of the quotes under the video said & I agree.

    This kid has courage, but he's also smart because now he has the whole nation rooting for him.
  • runnerjenn0708
    runnerjenn0708 Posts: 400 Member
    Teach them young ... Love it!!!

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