This video is a controversial commercial done by Nike
featuring Tiger Woods. In the video, a background voice of his father asks him
questions about what his thinking was and what his feelings were for some
situation. Many would be lead to believe that these questions are targeting the
sex scandal that surrounded Tiger two years ago. As these questions are asked,
Tiger just stares at the camera and never responds.
Nike is a huge company that many people know about. Many
adolescents and teens would have been able to watch this video on television at
one point or another. After everything
that has happened in Tiger Woods’ life, many would probably think it is inappropriate
to advertise him because of the number young people watching. After the huge
fallout that he had, it almost seems that Nike has let him off the hook for the
mistakes he made in his life just because he is marketable. Do you believe Nike
should use Tiger Woods in their commercials anymore? Does advertising with Tiger
Woods give teens and adolescents the perception that some mistakes will not
matter if you are important enough?
I’m responding to prompt #3: Speak for yourself
ReplyDeleteOne argument that is seen throughout the comments is that Nike should not endorse Tiger after his sex scandal. Many of the commenters feel that Tiger is no longer worthy of being on the big screen where many children are watching each day. Also, many commenters say he is “scum” and that his father would be disappointed. My responding comment was that I disagree. Tiger is not scum, he is a human being. I feel that by having Tiger just stare at the camera and not respond shows that he has learned from his mistakes. The death of Tiger's father was the event that sparked Tiger’s last golf downfall. By having his father’s voice in the background illustrates to viewers how this scandal has affected Tiger. His father’s voice shows that Tiger feels guilty and that he is sorry for his actions. I also feel that his father’s voice may impact adolescents watching this commercial. I don’t think teens will feel it is okay to make mistakes because they know what their Dads’ reactions might be. Just because Tiger got himself into trouble doesn’t mean that he’s not a good person. Many people still respect him for the great things he has done. Everyone does bad things; no one is perfect. Tiger’s scandal will not stop large sports companies like Nike from using him to endorse their products. Even if you disagree with his actions you cannot ignore the fact that Tiger Woods is and always will be one of the greatest golfers of all time.
I'm responding with Prompt #2: Agree to Disagree
ReplyDeleteOne argument prevalent in many of the YouTube comments, as Jameliah mentions, is Tiger Woods's credibility for endorsing Nike products. Jameliah pointed out how many people expressed their disgust for Tiger Woods and the things that he has done. Others defend Tiger loyally; however, even amongst much of the hatred, people respect what he has done for the game of golf. One commenter explains how she does not support Tiger's immoral actions, but she still defends him as the reason she watches golf. I think it is an important point that Tiger, even throughout the scandals, has brought publicity to the dying sport of golf. Controversial issues like these bring attention to the game and intrigue viewers to tune-in and see how Tiger will bounce back and perform. Many commenters are a little out of line, in my opinion, when they directly attack Tiger as a completely bad person. The chances that these commenters actually know him are very slim, and everyone makes mistakes. His mistakes happen to be on a much larger scale simply because of his fame and influence on the community; however, I don't think it's fair to treat him any differently. I think much of the hostility arises from the commenters value of leadership. This is evident in their disappointment in Tiger as a role model. He has failed many of his former fans as a leader, which has led to bitterness, disappointment, and outrage.
In response to the questions, I, personally, believe that Tiger should continue to appear in Nike advertisements. His influence on the audience for golf is undeniable. Despite his moral shortcomings, Tiger has done more for the game of golf possibly than any other player ever has. I think the image they put across is showing the maturity to move on, and not ignore mistakes, but put them behind you, which is what Tiger is doing in the commercial by not responding.
I am also responding to Prompt 2: Agree to disagree.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main arguments within the blog was if Tiger's father would be disappointed in him. This advertisement came out after the wake of his cheating scandal and was very controversial at the time. Tiger was very close with his father so having the voice over where he speaks about being understanding and hearing the whole story is very interesting. Not surprisingly, the commenters reflect the different views they would have if Tiger was their child. Some say that he father would be understanding and know that tiger learned something, while others stated that his father would be very disappointed in him. Some also commented that he was using his father to make advertising money and rehab his image, while others were thought nike was showing softer side of Tiger and his father. But most commenters can agree that what he did was wrong and being unfaithful isn't right. I personally think that while what Tiger did was wrong, his father would have it in his heart to forgive Tiger and stand by his side, even if he was disappointed in him for a period of time.
I am responding to prompt #3:Speak For Yourself
ReplyDeleteMany of the comments on the video were negative and harsh towards Tiger and Nike. However, one comment really stood out to me that said scandals aside, Tiger is still the reason 98% of people watch golf, myself included. The comment went on to make some sarcastic remarks about golf. Although, I don't agree with some of Tiger's life choices, I understand the point this comment was trying to make. Even people who don't know much about golf, know about Tiger. That could be why this advertisement is effective. It may set off some disagreements, but it gets the point across and people listen. Like Jameliah said, you can't dispute that he's a great golfer.
7. the works
ReplyDeleteAfter reading different comments on this nike video I realize people have a lot to say on this topic. Tiger Woods is obviously a very well known golfer and his scandal is too. It seems like a lot of people like the commercial, which I do too. People can relate to a father and son relationship very easily and know how disappointed a father would be in his son for this. I think many people were disappointed in Tiger, like his father would be, because they looked up to him as a role model. One thing this video doesn't do is make people forget about what Tiger did, and I don't think this video seems to make people forgive him either. Everyone can agree that Tiger is a great golfer and he will continue to be. He has done a lor for the game of golf. What this video seems to want the viewer to get out of it is sympathy, which many of the commenters do. As I watched it I felt bad for him, he is very convincing in making himself seem truly sorry for what he did. The black and white, sullen face, and voice of his father who past away all contribute to the sympathy many viewers feel. Many people who followed Tiger would know that he looked up to his father and learned the game of golf. This makes the video have more of an effect because he looked up to his father so much and this shows his father's disappointment. So overall I think it is effective in having viewers feel sympathy for Tiger, and making them realize everyone makes mistakes.
I am responding to prompt #7 the works.
ReplyDeleteThe comments found beneath this video range from sympathetic and supportive, to disdain and hostile. The commercial portrays Tiger posed in black and white film with a solemn face as he listens to a voice over of his father asserting his disapproval. While the commercial itself quite cleverly plays off of the empathy of consumers, it invoked a multitude of reactions from different people. Many commentators were able to look past Tiger’s faults to appreciate the advertisement for what it was, “Scandals aside, Tiger is still the reason 98% of people watch golf.” Although there were mistakes made, the commercial did what it was supposed to do: it captured the attention of consumers who either felt sympathy and desired the Nike product, or deterred potential buyers who could not look past Tiger’s slipups to the product itself. Others seemed to lack any support of Tiger or the Nike product when they claimed no sympathy for the golf superstar who brought all the superfluous attention on himself. The post itself affected both people’s ideas and their values in the way most of the potential purchasers reacted in their comments. The creator of the ad seemed to be attempting to draw out sympathetic support from its viewers but they also knew that there would be some negative feedback. The ad brought out our societies, while mostly sympathetic, more often than not unforgiving feelings towards celebrities that make mistakes. It also showed our societal values by portraying Tiger as a common person represented in black and white, with a typical family relationship that many people can relate to.