We’re THROWING back to 1996. 

Superstar baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. ran for president of the United States against the incumbent Bill Clinton as a Nike marketing stunt during the actual ‘96 election year. 

We talk with Major League Baseball, a die-hard Griffey fan, and Nike’s creative director to analyze the campaign and get the inside scoop. Things got so heated on the campaign trail that Phil Knight had to step in.

Would this campaign concept even be pitched today? Is our political environment too divisive in 2024? What would Biden or Trump’s stance be on Nike poking fun at the political process with a heroic, superstar candidate?

It might have a lot to say about advertising and politics today.

ShowUp is hosted by Leigh Lepore and Jameson Pitts, and is a production of Mintr Marketing and Sangfroid Marketing Studio. The show is mixed by Justin Newton of Jay Song Studio. Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter at the links below: 

showup-podcast.com 

mintrmarketing.com 

sangfroidstudio.com