The Inspiration Room

Nike Puts Rooney On St George Cross

Nike launched a print and billboard campaign in England in preparation for Wayne Rooney’s appearance the World Cup game against Sweden. Rooney, star player for Manchester and England, is painted in white, with a red cross splashed across and down his head and naked torso.

Responses, apparently, have been mixed. The St George Cross picks up the patriotism of England’s attempt to win the World Cup. Despite Nike’s assurance that there are no religious overtones, some Christians have taken offence that their symbol has been associated with a marketing campaign for Nike, England and football.

Of course, since Rooney was red carded for stomping on a Portugese player, the symbolism has backfired for Nike. “Just do it” is not what England had in mind for Rooney’s penalty-inducing behaviour.

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 3rd, 2006 at 10:47 am and is filed under Inspiration, Print Press Posters Billboards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: football, Soccer Ads, Wayne Rooney

Posted in Inspiration, Print Press Posters Billboards

3 Responses to Nike Puts Rooney On St George Cross

1. buddy says:

   November 4, 2008 at 3:54 am

   good….
   love you rooney

   Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

1. Back Scotland with Sean Lamont says:

   October 6, 2007 at 9:00 am

   [...] ad for Scottish Rugby has strong similarity to the Nike Football ad featuring Wayne Rooney against the St George Cross. The difference is that the World Football Cup had red cards. The Rugby World Cup doesn’t [...]

   Reply
2. St George or St Alban as Patron Saint of England? » Duncan Macleod on the Gold Coast says:

   October 24, 2007 at 4:02 pm

   [...] Philip Chester, vicar at St Matthew’s, Westminster, is arguing that St George’s image is far too militaristic, associated as it is with crusades against Muslims in the middle ages. There’s been some controversy over the association of the St George Cross with England’s football campaign in the FIFA World Cup. See the story at Duncan’s Print. [...]

   Reply