Nike "We're Short A Guy" Commercial Analysis Essay Example

In the Nike commercial, “we are short a guy,” the commercial introduces Nike to the best athletes in the world but focuses the main character on a young boy. The commercial begins by introducing the young boy walking by the basketball courts while eating a popsicle. The basketball players say the phrase, “we are short a guy,” which is repeated throughout the commercial, and then they ask him to join their game. The objective here is to attach the connotation of Nike to athleticism, dependability, and durability. He laces up his Nike basketball shoes, shown as a slowed-down clip, and becomes an insanely good basketball player while the music picks up the pace to keep the viewer intrigued. Nike makes their point of athleticism shine through the many different sports the young boy dominates in his Nike activewear and introduced familiar athletes to make it feel like a personal commercial catered to most athletes around the globe. 

As the Nike commercial begins, we are shown a young boy walking past a basketball court. He is approached by another young man who asks him to play in their 5v5 basketball game. He throws his popsicle to the ground, and laces up his Nike basketball shoes, and becomes insanely good at basketball. This makes the first initial connection to athleticism when the young boy becomes locked in and a key player in the game ahead. Despite being shorter than the other players, he keeps up with them and scores a basket while barely out of breath. The music in the background is upbeat and very energetic. It certainly matches the tone of the players and their movements, and how they control the situation. The placement of Nike with the kid being great at basketball creates an overall connotation of Nike itself. It connects strategically to athleticism and makes the viewer see Nike as a brand worn by athletes. It also sets the tone for the rest of the commercial by saying that every time Nike is involved, it is dependable and used for the best of the best. 

The connotation of Nike continues throughout the commercial by connection to not only basketball but many other sports. After he scores in basketball, he chases the ball to a marathon, where the signature phrase, “we are short a guy,” is reintroduced again. He laces up his Nike running shoes, places a Nike tank-top on, and runs the fastest despite being the youngest athlete there. He didn’t even have time to stop and take a breath after he played basketball. The grit that it takes to be an athlete also helps the viewer see that Nike recognizes the strength and uses it to appeal to other athletes watching their sport on the screen. The dependability of Nike sportswear is also a way for viewers to see that Nike will last throughout many activities and not just activewear that is used for leisure. 

The commercial keeps going by opening up the world of Nike to other sports at a high-paced speed. It moves from over six sports throughout the commercial. The young boy is very good at every sport he tries, and he is very intentional about showing that the gear he wears is Nike. Other famous athletes are also introduced to make a personal connection between the viewer and the athletes. Anthony Davis, Mike Trout, and many other athletes helo make this commercial personable. The athleticism factor truly helps Nike be shown as the best of the best in sportswear. 

I can connect this back to the Nike commercial, “leave nothing commercial,” because it again shows athleticism and grit pursued when using Nike sportswear. The upbeat commercial makes you engaged to what is going on and keeps you interested. It shows how durable Nike is because of how many games and years Nike can be used. Most Nike commercials show how sportswear can be used to be the best athlete you can be. Nike offers that by using the repetition of athleticism throughout their commercials and connecting it to real-life athletes who say their testimony of Nike products and their greatness.

The Nike commercial, “we are short a guy,” shows athleticism by using the repetition of success through different sports and connotations by making Nike be shown as the most dependable sportswear out there. It is easily demonstrated by how much of the young boy’s success throughout his journey with the brand Nike. It appeals to athletes all over and Nike sportswear consumers. The overall characteristics of Nike are shown throughout the journey of athletes around the globe, and how many uses Nike can be used for. Overall, Nike gathers information about the infographic and uses positive effects and real-life athletes to make their commercials not only personal but believable.