UPDATE: Well, it looks like Wieden + Kennedy might have had something to do with this campaign. Why would W+K’s lips be sealed if they weren’t involved? Thanks to the Wieden + Kennedy Studio blog for the link (Oregon graduates…Duck fans…makes sense.). And thanks for the links to the spoofs, which can be found below.
Jay, here.
Considering the ties-that-bind relationship the University of Oregon has with Nike (and their relationship with the advertising agency, and Oregon grads, Wieden + Kennedy, although there is no proof of their involvement), I wanted to call attention to this phenomenal piece of viral marketing.
“Real or Fake? Kobe Bryant jumps over Aston Martin”
Is it real or fake? Are you kidding? It’s fake. Real good marketing for Nike’s Hyperdunks, but fake. He shows off his Nike gear and shoes before he pulls this PR stunt. Got to be fake. Also, while I think it’s a real jump, the stunt is a fake of the Criss Angel type. Probably an optical illusion. The car’s real. The jump is real. But Kobe’s jump probably happens just out of the path of the Astin Martin.
Nice job Kobe, Nike, and Astin Martin. Got me doing your job.
Here are the spoofs:
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Tags: Kobe Bryant, Nike, Viral
truth Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I think it is real. But if you look close, the car is between him and the camera, so he is just jumping next to it, not really over it. Good ups though.
Jay Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Truth -
I think we’re on the same page. The production was done in real time (no special effects). But the stunt is fake. He’s not really jumping over the car. He’s jumping really high next to the car. And that looks like he’s jumping over it.
Jay
DSN
JM Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Jay
pay close attention to the shadow of the light pole he is standing on if he is next to the car he is awful close
Mark Byrd Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
who cares….. he is a laker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
There’s just no way the Lakers would let him do this.
Imagine the headline.
If it’s not an optical illusion, then the car and Kobe are composited in there together. He jumps. The car drives by. Put them together.
J.
DSN
Jay Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Mark -
You’re right. He’s a Laker, in addition to a lot of other stuff.
But it’s Nike. And we’re all about Nike.
J.
DSN
Ducksilly Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Doesn’t matter if real or fake, it can get kids killed. Not good for pr, Nike.
Bobby Bouche Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Kobe wouldnt risk his HOF career for this, it is fake, Kobe is in front of the car, you can tell this if you pause it right before he jumps. Kobe is more pumped and excited than ronnie t after he does it. Ronnie is a very bad actor.
Jay Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Ducksilly -
Good point. But are we at that point? Really?
If that’s the case, can we depict anything because someone might try it?
J.
DSN
Treston Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
It’s a pretty good fake. If you pause, like was suggested above and pay attention to the shadows. They are at the same spot on the pavement and at the same depth. My theory is that they were filmed at different times. Maybe even the same time of day on different days. This would be easy enough to do with layered editing.
james c Says:
April 11th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
who cares that sh** was an encrebible JUMP…
dc Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 5:07 am
I have used the clues given by many of the commentors. I agree that Kobe was not in front of the car. Pause at 54. In addition, watch the front wheel of the car. After Kobe is airborne it turns slightly into the spot where Kobe jumped from and then straightens up. Also Kobe lands slightly ahead and above where he jumped from thereby clearing the driver side rear fender instead of directly over the back trunk of the car.
Mack Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 8:00 am
notice the car is going downhill as well.
mike Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
there’s no driver
J from O Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Its F-ing sweet is what it is, and I think we are past the “dont try this at home kids” phase. All I know is that there is no possible way the LAkers would let him do this “stunt”, remember the dude last year who got hurt snowboarding and they fined him. This would have been much worse if it were real. You can also tell by the bad acting via Turiaf he wasn’t really too excited to see Kobe jump really high for no reason. Either way LAkers winning the west.
Yeah Says:
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 am
0:34. He’s clearly not in the path of the car. Kobe’s a smart man. He’s not going to risk his career actually trying to jump a car.