It’s If You Let Me Play, and it’s definitely worth viewing.
Nike is one of the top sporting brands in the world, known widely for its creative advertising in sports. For example, Just Do It! has been around for decades, a stirring endorsement of self-determination, perseverance, and dedication.
Courtesy Nike and Active for Life
Women have gotten attention for decades, and there may be no better example than the 1995 public service spot “If you let me play.” Phil Knight hired the creative agency Wieden + Kennedy to create the spot, and Janet Champ, who started as a receptionist for an ad agency and evolved into a superb ad writer, wrote the script. Samuel Bayer, who oversaw A Nightmare on Elem Street (New Line Cinema, 2010), directed the spot.
Nike was looking for a powerful message for promoting women in sports, and “If you let me play” is definitely that. The commercial first aired on NBC on August 30, 1995, and the response was overwhelming. It had just the right look with a variety of still- and action-shots of a variety of young women speaking to the theme–numerous benefits associated with women playing sports. Overall, the ad had a 90%+ thumbs-up rating.
It was a powerful message about how sports can empower women and society. Karen Johnson of NOW (National Organization for Women) said this: “I think it’s a significant message to send. Building self-esteem is critical to a girl’s health.”
The commercial sends a powerful message, which is as relevant today as it was 25+ years ago.
