Rooney controversy
'Drenched in blood-red paint and his mouth in a contorted war cry, this powerful image of Wayne Rooney is meant to inspire. It has, however, managed to offend everyone from MPs to religious leaders.' So writes Nick Craven in today's Daily Mail, in an attempt to persuade readers that they too should be outraged by our ad for Nike. In his article he has indeed managed to find an MP and an evangelical Christian to complain about the ad. That's everyone to the total of two.
Now, I don't normally read the Mail cover to cover, but today they refer to our ad not once but twice. Here it is again:
Stephen Glover, in an article apparently calculated further to inflame the righteous indignation of the stereotypical Mail reader says, 'Consider this repulsive poster carefully. Rooney's face and upper body are smeared with what looks like blood in the shape of the cross of St George. His mouth, with two disjointed fangs, is wide open in a yell of hatred and wild aggression. This is a depiction of primitive, violent man - a bloodthirsty barbarian lifted from the dark ages.'
Blimey. That seems a trifle harsh on Rooney and his teeth. And it goes on to slag off his fiancee.
Anyway, big thanks to the Mail for running the ad again today for free.
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Great ad guys. Isn't pissing off Mail readers, MPs and Evangelicals what Nike and Rooney are all about?
I haven't read the article but it looks like the ad was just a device for the columnists to draw readers in so that they could bitch about the WAGs?
Posted by: Henry | June 21, 2006 at 10:43 AM
It's not fair that you get to cause so much controversy - i tried to cause "hoo-ha" with my photoshop skills on the UKtv Sven's Last Supper. I think only one irrate Manchester Evening News reader was upset by it...!
Posted by: sichi | June 21, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Great ad. Great placement of the ad. And good of the Daily to be so predictable and give it even more exposure :D
Posted by: Rob Mortimer | June 21, 2006 at 06:23 PM
Great ad. Great placement of the ad. And good of the Daily *Mail to be so predictable and give it even more exposure :D
Posted by: Rob Mortimer | June 21, 2006 at 06:24 PM
This is the best ad I've seen for a long time. Simple, terrific, powerful, wallpaper-material. And at least one interesting thing to see in the Daily Mail. Well done.
Posted by: oemy | June 21, 2006 at 06:43 PM
That's a good idea! Could we have a high quality jpeg for desktop wallpaper please? I posted on your just_do_it.html page and I'll say again... Classic poster!
Posted by: Keith | June 21, 2006 at 09:19 PM
i think that this picture just shows pride and joy it is an amazing picture that makes wayne look like he loves england and is proud to be english
Posted by: lewis | June 24, 2006 at 02:45 PM
Great ad. Its all about the patriotic st georges cross. What's the problem?
Posted by: Fionn | June 25, 2006 at 09:04 AM
Good ad!! I like it very much!! I don't think there is any problem it presented!!
Posted by: Frankie | July 03, 2006 at 01:08 PM
I don't mind at all the design.
It seems fine just as it is.
My problem is, I just happened to see another version (have no idea how it was created..) of this same pose but with C. Ronaldo (Portugal team) on one side, beheaded, and Rooney with Ronaldo's head in his other hand.
It gives the impression of Rooney having just torn off Ronaldo's head with his bare hands and splashing blood.
What is this? Is such violence necessary?
This is not what Football is about.
Posted by: Soccerfan | July 07, 2006 at 10:34 AM
BEST ADD I'VE SEEN IN AGES!
Posted by: JJ | July 08, 2006 at 02:38 PM
I CANT DRAW YOUR FACE SHOW ME HOW
Posted by: STEFAN | October 04, 2006 at 07:05 PM