Today's Sure cricket ad from the Metro

Last year's Nike rugby ad.

We've often observed that brands trying to build credibility in the
sports arena will 'borrow' the Nike tone of voice. One result of this
is that misattribution of other brands' advertising often contributes
to Nike's ad awareness figures. Which is nice for our client.
But the resembalance above goes beyond tonal similarities.

White-clad English sporting heroes? Tick.
'Not without a fight' line? Tick.
Defiant, aggressive attitude? Tick.
Tick-shaped logo? Tick.

In the past when we've pointed out such things on this blog it's prompted a host of negative comments. So, to be clear, I honestly think this must be a coincidence and that somehow no-one at Sure or their agency was aware of our campaign for Nike from last year. (Despite the fact that it ran widely across a number of media, was widely reported and awarded and could reasonably be assumed to be part of the competitive set for this Sure campaign.) This is the only reasonable explanation for such a potentially embarrassing coincidence. Isn't it?

Interesting to see how the local press in Swindon has covered W+K's campaign to announce the reopening of Honda's UK factory, which is located in the area. The coverage suggests that it's a controversial move locally to spend money on an advertising campaign when workers have accepted pay cuts, but reports that Honda workers have backed the campaign. Most of those interviewed seem to have seen the campaign as a positive step, likely to encourage the business to get moving. A Swindon-based marketing expert is quoted as saying he thinks the campaign is 'a wise move'. And the article talks of Honda's 'impressive track record when it comes to advertising.'

A follow-up piece said 'readers giving their backing to Honda's ad campaign'.

An online poll conducted by the paper revealed 57
per cent of readers supported the campaign.