Milwaukee PR Executive Evan Zeppos says Nike made the right business move placing controversial former football player and Milwaukee native Colin Kaepernick in their most recent ad.
The 30th anniversary of the "Just Do It" campaign features a voice-over by Kaepernick and he appears in the two-minute ad.
The ad was released on the internet earlier this week but found a wide audience during Thursday night's NFL season opener of The Philadelphia Eagles versus the Atlanta Falcons on NBC.
Zeppos says more companies are taking a risk by wading into social and political issues because their customers are too.
"They’re willing to say I don’t want to support that company because I don’t like what they stand for. But I do like this company because I like what they stand for" said Zeppos.
Without Kaepernick, Zeppos doesn't believe the ad would have gotten the attention it has.
Fans watching the game at Three Lions Pub in Shorewood thought the ad was well placed.
"It’s never been about the flag, it's about people being mistreated and bringing attention to that," said Dan Deschants.
And while he understands the importance of the message, Eric Schachter watches football for the game.
"I’m more interested in the football games, not the social aspects surrounding the football games," said Deschants.
The ad aired during the first commercial break of the third quarter of the game.
Colin Kaepernick has filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming team owners have conspired to keep him from playing.
