those nike hipsters

has this been mentioned here yet?

compare and contrast:

minor threat album cover:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000JO3/

nike skateboarding ad:
http://www.nike.com/nikeskateboarding/v2/assets/bottomBar/threat/major_threat_bg_v2.gif

When I think of harDCore I always think of Dream Nightclub :roll:

I would assume it's a Glen Friedman photo. He documented a lot of the early skateboarders as well as the hardcore scene. Who knows, maybe he let Nike use it.

it's definitely a copy of the original photo, not the same one.

I bet Ian's pissed.

Nike Campaign "Borrows" Album Art
Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:


Rob Kleckner reports:
Exhibit A: Classic cover art for Minor Threat's self-titled 1984 compilation.
Exhibit B: Nike Skateboarding's poster image for its "Major Threat" 2005 East Coast Tour.

You don't need a degree in graphic design to notice the similarities here. They're the fucking same. Oh, wait– one is blue, not red. And Major, not Minor. And there are some Nike logos tossed in there. This brings to mind an interview with Vanilla Ice, defending the differences between "Ice Ice Baby" and "Under Pressure" ("dun dun dun duh-duh-duh dun" vs. "DUN dun dun dun duh-duh-duh dun").

Come on, Nike, your Swoosh is one of the most iconic brand images in the world, perhaps a tiny notch below the Golden Arches and maybe Coca-Cola; you don't need to be appropriating another culture for yourselves.

But Nike is smart enough to know better, right? They must have asked permission. We spoke to a representative from Dischord Records, Minor Threat's label, if Nike had asked to borrow these images. They said the following: "No, they stole it and we're not happy about it. Nike is a giant corporation which is attempting to manipulate the alternative skate culture to create an even wider demand for their already ubiquitous brand. Nike represents just about the antithesis of what Dischord stands for and it makes me sick to my stomach to think they are using this explicit imagery to fool kids into thinking that the general ethos of this label, and Minor Threat in particular, can somehow be linked to Nike's mission. It's disgusting."

Dischord is not sure of what action they are going to take, but you can tell they are not happy with Nike's choice. We will keep you updated as we learn more about the situation.

* Nike Skateboarding: http://www.nike.com/nikeskateboarding/
* Dischord Records: http://www.dischord.com/

I think Ian should go Old-School.

Chase down Phil Knight's car and when it stops at a light, pull Phil out and stomp him senseless on the street.

Originally posted by tbmtt:
Oh, wait– one is blue, not red.

There were blue versions of the record as well, so you can't even count that.

What do you think he's done for Vans? I used to rock a red pair of these in 10th grade.

<img src="http://www.protons.com.br/megazine/figuras/BF23ian+henry.jpg" alt=" - " />

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
I think Ian should go Old-School.

Chase down Phil Knight's car and when it stops at a light, pull Phil out and stomp him senseless on the street.

a "curbing"?

http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=95765
A new Nike skateboarding tour ad should look incredibly familiar to fans of the legendary D.C. Punk band Minor Threat. The tour's poster, dubbed Major Threat, is a close replica of the cover to the band's self-titled 1984 album. Pitchforkmedia.com contacted a representative from Minor Threat's label, Dischord Records to see if Nike had officially obtained permission for the "tribute" to the band. The representative said, "No, they stole it and we're not happy about it. Nike is a giant corporation which is attempting to manipulate the alternative skate culture to create an even wider demand for their already ubiquitous brand. Nike represents just about the antithesis of what Dischord stands for and it makes me sick to my stomach to think they are using this explicit imagery to fool kids into thinking that the general ethos of this label, and Minor Threat in particular, can somehow be linked to Nike's mission. It's disgusting." The label is unsure what action they will take next regarding the matter.

I wonder if Nike is counting on the fact that most skate punx are far more concerned with style/image than anything that could be considered substance? If that's the case, Dischord being pissed will do nothing other than increase Nike's publicity.

Nike Pulls Major Threat Ad, Issues Apology

June 27, 2005

To: Minor Threat, Dischord Records and fans of both

Re: Major Threat East Coast Tour Poster

Nike Skateboarding sincerely apologizes for the creation of a tour poster inspired by Minor Threat's album cover. Despite rumors being circulated, Wieden & Kennedy and Odopod had nothing to do with the creation of this tour poster and should not be held accountable. To set the record straight, Nike Skateboarding's "Major Threat" Tour poster was designed, executed and promoted by skateboarders, for skateboarders. All of Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer are fans of both Minor Threat and Dischord Records and have nothing but respect for both.

Minor Threat's music and iconographic album cover have been an inspiration to countless skateboarders since the album came out in 1984. And for members of the Nike Skateboarding staff, this is no different. Because of the album's strong imagery and because our East Coast tour ends in Washington, DC, we felt that it was a perfect fit. This was a poor judgment call and should not have been executed without consulting Minor Threat and Dischord Records.

We apologize for any problems this may have caused, and want to make very clear that we have no relationship with the members of Minor Threat, Dischord Records and they have not endorsed our products.

Every effort has been made to remove and dispose of all flyers (both print and digital). Again, Nike Skateboarding sincerely apologizes to Minor Threat and Dischord Records.

Sincerely,
Nike Skateboarding

Originally posted by amnesiac:
All of Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer are fans of both Minor Threat and Dischord Records and have nothing but respect for both.

Sure. They all love Minor Threat. All of them.

this is such drivel.

I hear even their sweatshop workers in Asia are into Minor Threat!

Originally posted by chimbly sweep:

Originally posted by amnesiac:
All of Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer are fans of both Minor Threat and Dischord Records and have nothing but respect for both.

Sure. They all love Minor Threat. All of them.

this is such drivel.

It said "all of [the] Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer," not "all Nike employees." It could be, and quite probably is, 2 guys in the art department.

Even if so, It's still a load of crock, in that it implies that the 2 guys in the art department were solely responsible for deciding to do that campaign. Not likely.

I posted this on the DCist about this - think its still true:

something worth mentioning…

isn't there a high likelyhood that Nike just wants to get sued here? think about it - this ad was just a PDF online, and I'm sure a print flier or something put up around cities. surely not an expensive campaign by Nike standards, and I guarantee you that they're not stupid enough to rip off that image without asking permission and think they won't get sued.

so this is what I imagine the rationale was:

Rip off Minor Threat cover. Minimal ad costs at first. Get sued by Dischord. Settle out of court for a few million bucks (which is likely still cheaper than the usual ad campaigns). Get lots of press associating Nike with Minor Threat. Get street cred for skateboarding line, because now Nike is not just "evil corporation," but an "evil corporation that knows good music."

I think its a rather brilliant publicity move. Shady? Definitely. But probably is going to have exactly the effect that they want, and likely the one that they planned for.

Posted by: Chris at June 24, 2005


Obviously the apology made the indie cred point abundantly clear - so now they don't get sued, and still get the press for it. Brilliant.

Just wear Brooks, or New Balance. Or Adidas.

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
Just wear Brooks, or New Balance. Or Adidas.

i like my Birkenstocks, thank you!

hippie!

Originally posted by sonickteam4:

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
Just wear Brooks, or New Balance. Or Adidas.

i like my Birkenstocks, thank you!