Protecting His Brand
Many of you have already seen this ad that Nike and Tiger released this week. Let me say up front, I like Nike and Tiger, and I am really pulling for him to win the Master’s this weekend. If he wins, his will go down in the annuls as one of the most compelling stories in past and recent sports history. More importantly, I am pulling for him to be a better husband, father, friend and person.
Now, regarding the ad. I really didn’t know how to respond when I first saw it, and I wanted to withhold my opinion until I had time to digest its content and true meaning. As I thought more and more about the ad, it was obvious to me that Nike and Tiger weren’t selling clubs, balls, or shoes. But, they were selling something. What they were selling and how they were selling it, made me uncomfortable. They were using Tiger’s dead father’s voice, out of context mind you, to protect, re-image, and sell the Tiger brand. In my humble opinion, it seemed they were more interested in image rather character and integrity.
This ad inspired a personal question in me: As a leader and minister, how do I protect and sell the Jesus brand in my life each day? Here are some of my answers:
1. Begin each day by acknowledging my absolute need for Jesus
2. Express gratitude to Jesus every day for the gifts that he’s given me
3. Quietly transfer all glory to Him
4. Invite and pursue correction from godly men and women
5. Repent quickly and thoroughly
6. Don’t take myself too seriously (laugh at myself)
7. Model my life after the One who made himself of no reputation
What was your initial response to the Nike and Tiger ad? As a believer, what are some other ways you protect the Jesus brand each day?
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Tags: Humility, Integrity, Pride, Priorities, Self Examination, Self Reflection
April 10th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I had not seen this ad. The ad "humanizes" Tiger. I almost want to feel sorry for him. He's just a man, ofcourse he made mistakes… he's real, he's human. We can familiarize ourselves with Tiger through this ad. And ya know, Nike's a real shoe made for real ppl, like you and me and Tiger. Whatever… it's all about $$$ in the end! Clever though, well thought out.
As for me it's remembering that I am second. God must be first. Submit daily, in all things. My thoughts, my words, my actions, my responses, my fears, my desires, my relationships and commitments… all things. Considering others as higher than myself as well. Everyday… "Lord I can't, my mind won't, my body isn't able but you can, you will and you are able"! I Am Second.
April 12th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
I start out by saying I am a big Tiger fan. As a golfer, he has done things we will never see again in this lifetime. He has broken numerous records, re-shaped golf, and brought what once was thought of as an activity for stuffy old men, into the mainstream.
With this ad, Nike was trying to help re-shape Tiger's image and portray him as more human and compassionate; someone we can relate to. To me it is the same lie and deception he was living in the past. They are trying to image him, to mask his identity just as he so brilliantly did for years. I truly believe and pray someone will get to Tiger and tell him about Jesus. It is not Buddhism, Hinduism or any other “ism.” It is about trusting in Jesus only and when Tiger comes to know this truth commercials trying to re-shape his image won't be necessary. 1John 1:9 if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I pray Tiger and his family will come to know this Truth.
April 17th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I'm not a Tiger Woods "fan." My cheering for him to win is not because I want him to win, but because of what he represents to all the African Americans who historically could not participate on the golf courses he dominates–especially Augusta–even if he does not claim "African American" exclusively. Our eyes and brains do the footwork for us, though.
I'm pretty sure that the man has heard of Jesus Christ, but he is, like many of us, full of ourselves. But this is particularly true for athletes, who often have to "hype themselves up." This is a secular method of "doing all things through Christ, who strengthens me" or "if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains." The problem is that many of these athletes, such as Tiger, do not recognize the source of their talents. This is why I'm an obnoxious Tim Tebow fan (even though Florida State is my favorite NCAA team), and I personally don't believe that he will be an NFL success, but I *pray* that he succeeds in every endeavor. It would be a great victory for Christians everywhere.
As far as the Tiger ad is concerned, I was a foolish move indeed. I feel that if he were serious about "re-branding" himself, he would have began golfing when his wife gave him permission. But as we saw from the post-Masters interview, he was the same old Tiger.