Letters

Reebok: Caught with its pants down

In “Reebok’s Hot Streak” [Feb. 10], Barbara Lippert asserts that by parodying Nike’s work, “Reebok is making a clever cultural reference and showing that its new character can literally level the playing field.” But while both ads are cultural references, they are referencing two completely distinct cultures.

Nike’s spot is informed by sports culture in general and British football culture specifically. The Reebok parody is informed by advertising culture in general and Nike advertising culture specifically.

Consequently, Nike succeeds in once again conveying its status as the de facto arbiter and curator of what is interesting and wonderful about sports, while Reebok merely confirms that it, like most consumers, can’t resist being influenced by brilliant Nike advertising.