The swoosh wins again

Posted by Rob Walker on December 19, 2006
Posted Under: Murketing

The incomparable Uni Watch has a particularly fascinating piece on ESPN’s site today about Muslim sprinter Ruqaya Al Ghasara, and her Nike-branded hijab. Uni Watcher Paul Lukas writes:

Swooshifying a religious garment is pretty low, even for Nike — or at least that’s what Uni Watch initially thought. It turns out, however, that the situation is more complex than that.

“It was her choice to wear the one with the swoosh,” says Nike spokesman Brian Tacchini. “I’m not sure if it’s something that she requested to have made, or if we offered it, but she chose to wear it in the 200 meters.”

The full story is extremely interesting. You should read it.

Further diversion may be found at MKTG Tumblr, and the Consumed Facebook page.

Reader Comments

It’s pretty sad to see that branding is going through all extremes tp make ther brand be seen. This is just one of those things that I feel baffled about. I have seen the Mickey Mouse and the Tasmanin Devil on Yalmakahs before, and this really isn’t that different than the Nike swoosh, but it really hits home to see Nike do this. I guess that is because Mickey has made itself so mainstream for all of the usage on generic goods.

This probably will jot go further than a photo, but it is something to see when a conglomorate is moving onto the religious accessories.

#1 
Written By Stern Rockwell on December 21st, 2006 @ 7:58 pm

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