https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/10/us/kenner-louisiana-mayor-bans-city-nike-purchases-trnd/index.html
This articled was published on September 10, 2018 and recently updated by CNN journalist, Andrea Diaz. The day after Nike announced Colin Kaepernick the face of the brand's 30th anniversary campaign, the city mayor of Louisiana banned recreation centers from buying or using any Nike products. Ben Zahn, the mayor of Kenner, Louisiana signed this "internal" memo. The ban was meant to "protect" the taxpayers from promoting Nike's "political agenda".Ben Zahn criticized the former NFL quarterback decision to kneel during the National Anthem. The city council was unaware of this memo and is 100% against it.
I believe that memos made by government officials that aren't intentionally made public shouldn't be produced in the first place. It causes more controversy and only intensifies situations like Nike's. I predicted doom for the brand since the beginning of this announcement once I learned about the burning's of the products, and I do agree that this political campaign did the company no justice. However, this controversial Nike ad did have a comeback recently with the increase of sales despite the backlash.
I don't believe that the mayor of a city should be interfering with consumer interests. A government official shouldn't affiliate their own personal opinions with laws. Especially since this decision was made by Zahn and only Zahn. Government being involved with branding companies and major branding companies being involved with political frays just isn't good for America. Companies should leave politics to politicians and voters, and politicians should leave market imperatives alone.
I think its funny how they Mayor said the ban was placed to protect taxpayers from Nikes political agenda, but isn't that what he's literally doing? They need policies in place when it comes to memos that aren't supposed to get released.
ReplyDeleteNike doesn't have a political agenda-they know whats good for business. They probably know that many of their customers would disagree with the choice of Kaepernick as the face of their campaign, but the greater portion of their customers support his movement. This choice has also obviously given Nike a lot of buzz, which can help sales.
ReplyDeleteIt's hilarious that he's complaining about a hidden political agenda when it's his actual job. Nike is too popular to ban for a whole state I won't be surprised if its immediately repealed.
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