Anti-Nike Images

It is impossible to go a day without seeing them. They can be found on clothing, uniforms and shoes, on the television and the computer, and on billboards. What are they? They are Nike “swooshes.” This easily recognized brand logo was designed in 1971, and bought by current Nike chairman Phil Knight for 35 dollars. It has been crucial in the growth and popularity of Nike ever since. Although many people have ignored the criticisms targeted at Nike and their corporate practices by continuing to purchase and wear Nike product, many people have protested and written criticisms against the corporate giant.

There are plenty of anti-Nike websites that have provided an outlet for stories and pictures protesting the corporate practices Nike has used in the past and present. Facts and figures are common on these websites as well as creative animations. The original “swoosh” and a variety of these criticizing images can be found below.

Most of these images and animations are pretty self explanatory. They all view Nike in a negative light and are attempting to motivate change. Critics’ voices have been heard, and Nike has adjusted their corporate policies in order to fix the problems with sweat labor. However, images like these are still common and will continue to be used because critics still feel Nike has room to improve.

just copy and paste this! the whole thing

http://skylight.wsu.edu/s/f4f224b0-1fdf-403e-9cc6-04a2abf222eb.srv

Nike: Repairing the “Swoosh”

An article in Harpers Magazine in 1992 was the catalyst for a wave of public criticism targeted at Nike and their corporate practices. This article compared Michael Jordan to a young Indonesian girl named Sadisah. Sadisah worked in an industrial factory that was contracted to manufacture Nike shoes. The article compared Sadisah’s salary and working conditions to those of Jordan’s. The next few years not only brought the darkest days in Nike’s history, but also brought about a new era in brand management. Although Nike was not the only company guilty of gross corporate practices, it was the company that was targeted heaviest concerning corporate responsibility.

The 1990s were filled with critical reports in magazines, protestors outside Nike stores and anti-Nike web sites. College students protested against Nike and forced their athletic departments to dissolve their profitable sponsorship contracts with the shoe company. The Nike brand was now synonymous with slave work, low wages and forced overtime. Protestors also questioned why Nike advertisements in the U.S. empowered women while Nike engaged in corporate practices which disempowered women.

Nike initially responded to public criticism in the worst way they possibly could. When questioned about underage workers in 1997, Nike Founder Phil Knight responded, “Tell it to the United Nations.” From this point on, Knight and Nike made huge attempts to repair the company’s image.

Knight introduced a radical six point plan in 1998 to repair the company’s corporate practices. Nike would monitor the factories, raise minimum age requirements and improve overall working conditions. Also, Nike set up a corporate social responsibility department and began working with the company’s most passionate critics.

Today, Nike works extremely hard to ensure their corporate practices are kosher. Their Global Corporate Responsibility Strategy, which has several goals including bringing a systematic change for workers in the footwear, apparel and equipment industries, is accessible on their web site. Nike is no longer socially recognized as a company with unacceptable corporate practices.

just copy and paste this! the whole thing

http://skylight.wsu.edu/s/f4f224b0-1fdf-403e-9cc6-04a2abf222eb.srv