NIKE BREAKS FIRST OF THREE TELEVISION COMMERCIALS
By Adnews Staff
Nike Canada Ltd. of Thornhill, ON has released a new television commercial for its Nike Shox VC basketball shoe. Called "Rucker", the ad depicts a basketball game at Rucker Park in Harlem in 1975. With three minutes left in the game, the crowd begins to chant "Dr. Funk." Dr. Funk, played by Toronto Raptor Vince Carter, appears at the last minute and leads his team to a win. In addition the Shox VC, the spot also displays the Bruin and the Blazer, Nike's first basketball shoes which were introduced in the 1970s. The ad is the first of three 60-second spots featuring Carter. "Rucker" will run during prime time programming until mid-April. The second spot win run until mid-May. The third spot will run until mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of the NBA playoffs. The commercials were created by Weiden + Kennedy of Portland, OR.