The first week of September is always a busy one, and this week was no exception. Nike’s 30th anniversary campaign, viral job-shaming, a poster model ploy, new Snapchat Spectacles and Facebook’s discussion of social video watching; are our picks of what people have been buzzing about online this week. So, let’s kick your Friday off right with The Weekly Download and some Friday Fun!
Colin Kaepernick & Nike
Nike just dropped their newest marketing campaign, “Dream Crazy”. It’s been crazy divisive between the left and right, particularly in the United States. While many people are applauding the move, many people are venting their disapproval all over social media. The campaign stars some of the world’s top performing and inspirational athletes including Serena Williams, LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr. and is narrated by the controversial NFL player, Colin Kaepernick.
Kaepernick became a household name after his activist protests in 2016 when ‘taking a knee’ during the national anthem at NFL games. Nike’s choice in having Kaepernick represent their 30th anniversary campaign – which has no focus on the NFL movement – has critics posting their mutilation of Nike products all over social media followed by the trending hashtag #BoycottNike.
Previously, brands like Pepsi and Starbucks have been criticized for not hitting the mark with ads touching on social issues. Nike taking on Kaepernick was a calculated risk that has earned them millions of dollars in media coverage.
Personal positions aside, this was a brilliant move. Everywhere you look this week – it’s about Nike.
Our Soundman just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions. pic.twitter.com/h8kj6RXe7j
— John Rich (@johnrich) September 3, 2018
In response to #BoycottNike, let’s give children in our inner cities the clothes and shoes they need https://t.co/Ryjezqo7gI
— 🔥 96 days 🔥 (@davidhogg111) September 5, 2018
Just bought all this stuff to burn. #BoycottNike pic.twitter.com/7eU83SmVS0
— Essential to the shareholders (@t4nkismyname) September 4, 2018
Job-Shaming of Geoffrey Owens Goes Viral
The “Cosby Show” star, Geoffrey Owens, has been causing lots of chatter this week after a woman posted photo of him working at a local Trader Joes grocery store. What started as a viral job-shaming turned into a discussion of an honest work ethic.
Fans, friends and other actors began to voice their support via Twitter after Fox News negatively tweeted about Owens “bagging groceries” to their millions of followers. Almost immediately began a dialogue of praise and the importance of hard and honest work. “There is no job that’s better than another job. …Every job is worthwhile and valuable,” said Owens.
'Cosby Show' actor Geoffrey Owens spotted bagging groceries at NJ Trader Joe's https://t.co/bhkxWYa9gq
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 31, 2018
I swept floors AFTER the @NFL. If need be, I’d do it again. Good honest work is nothing to be ashamed of. https://t.co/8mseCpaIqz
— terry crews (@terrycrews) September 2, 2018
#GeoffreyOwens I’m about to start shootings OWN’s number one drama next week! Come join us!!! I have so much respect for people who hustle between gigs. The measure of a true artist.
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) September 4, 2018
And he’s making more money than Cosby these days. Good for him. Now maybe some casting director will take note of a fine man who swallows his pride and is willing to work. #GeoffreyOwens https://t.co/B1rkk5vLjC
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) September 2, 2018
This situation serves as a friendly reminder that your smartphones, and the content you post can lead conversations out of your control and have more powerful impacts than anticipated.
Karma Lawrence, the woman who initially posted the photo, is now issuing apologies while Owens reclaims a spotlight that may ultimately reintegrate him into show business more permanently.
Geoffrey Owens kept his Trader Joe’s nametag for the GMA interview. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽pic.twitter.com/MMFxHTeXsq
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeague) September 4, 2018
McDonald’s Poster Models
Jevh Maravilla and Christian Toledo were enjoying a McDonald’s Snack Wrap at their local restaurant a few months ago when they noticed there was a lack of Asian representation within the location’s poster models. The two friends decided to take matters into their own hands and filmed their entire ploy to making themselves new faces for the fast-food giant.
A photo, some digital edits, a professional poster and a sneaky disguise to hang the new wall hanging was all it took to have their faces displayed for months to come.
Check out their YouTube video to see how they pulled it off!
Snapchat Releases New Spectacles
On Wednesday, Snapchat released two new pairs of Spectacles called Nico and Veronica, making it much more stylish to wear your Snap content. Not only do the frames look trendy, but they are also polarized.
The fashion forward, hands-free camera on these spiffy specs can record up to 70 videos and sync to your phone wirelessly. Now you can record on almost any adventure just by wearing your sunnies.
According to Snap, since the release of Spectacles 2, there has been a 40 per cent increase in video and photos captured with the glasses.
Facebook Encourages Social Video Watching
Social media giant is looking to take over once again – this time with a video. Of course, they have to make it their own if they want to stamp out the pioneers, Netflix and YouTube. How do they plan to do it? By doing what they do best… making it social!
Facebook wants users to make watching video together a habit. Facebook recently released Watch on a global scale for both desktop and mobile devices. Watch offers several shows that follow the creator’s story line(s). The purpose is to foster a community around video and open up conversations around our favourite shows by commenting or sharing with other Facebook friends.
Friday Fun
Fan of The Office? – You’ll definitely get a laugh out of this week’s Friday Fun! It is said that this week marked the ninth anniversary of Kevin dropping THE pot of his famous chili.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnU6uU9nNI6/?taken-by=theofficeshowyou
If the first 30 seconds aren’t enough – there’s an entire montage following the iconic chili drop!
