Common Sense Meets Commerce in Subway’s Phelps Ad
Five months after breakfast cereal maker Kellogg’s axed Michael Phelps as an endorser after a photo of him appearing to smoke out of a bong surfaced, Subway has released its first ad featuring the Olympic champion.
Not only does Subway’s ad demonstrate an understanding that Americans care way more about Phelps’ amazing accomplishments than they do about his very ordinary controversy, but it actually articulates that sentiment: “You can always be yourself at Subway.”
Kellogg’s apparently found it inconvenient that a marijuana user should also be wildly successful, but Subway’s approach is far more sensible and smart. I mean, what kind of advertising honcho would recommend condemning an American icon for committing an act nearly half your target audience has committed?
Tagged with: Kellogg's and Michael Phelps and Subway by the author
36 comments
He’ll yeah I love subway. Sometimes after I smoke my J I go straight to subway to get my some of their food and is much safer than all the other fast foods places. But can anybody show me where is that website where they are advertising his pic I can’t seem to find it.
Well, I know where I’m going for lunch today.
someone at kellogg must have gotten fired for axing their contract with MP.
michael phelps is my hero!
even though he is an multi-gold olympic champion, he conveys the aspects of the everyday average working man – a person dedicated to this craft and works very hard to accomplish his goals.
mp is someone who everyone should look up to.
That is so awesome. Props to Subway
i like it!
I’ve never really ate too often at subway but kinda always wanted an excuse other then “Losing weight” to go there.
Subway just gained a customer.
Fantastic!!! Kudos to Subway!!!
I’m heading to Subway.
thanks Michel I will go to subway but I’m still boycotting kellogs
MPP: Has anyone of you ever been invited to appear on the Tonight Show, Letterman, or Craig Ferguson?
Have you tried to do so?
So often you hear comments about MJ on these shows from their guests. Last night the Tonight Show had the lady from Weeds on. There was no mention of the show other than her saying, “isn’t it a great show”?
Screw Phelps he still says it was a “mistake”
I’ll start to care what he has to say if he ever says…
“I smoke cannabis and I ENJOY it!”
Hey thats great! Glad subway see’s Michael as a good guy, as the rest of their customers that have or do use cannabis. I have always loved subways food,love it even more now! Guess where I’m eating the rest ofthe week Subway? Your restraunt!! Kudos for throwing off the stigma subway! I still am boycotting Kellogs.
I am on the way to Subway now.
Ray @11, I repect your veiw but cut the guy a break. Can you imagine how much pressure people put on him? Besides I’m not sure I would give up my fame for a bong hit either(although privately I my think different). I wish he would have spoke out also,but he does have a lot of kids that look up to him.It maybe better he keep his use private. Just sayin.
Regardless of what Phelps had to say about his actions, I think it is important to give Subway a little pat on the back for recognizing that a large portion of their customers smoke pot, and for not stigmatizing them but (ever so carefully) embracing them. I swore off Subway years ago (just out of personal preference), but because of this I am headed over to the new Subway down the street to pick up a footlong and a subway card.
Be right back, I am going to get Subway for dinner.
Oh, stop buying Kellogg. Their stock went back up yesterday, so I just wanted to send a reminder.
To Lea # 10:
I performed on The Letterman Show in 2003. We (my trumpet player partner) were told not to talk to or make eye contact with Dave. If he talked to us we were told to ignore him.
Getting on TV is not easy and if you braek the rules you won’t be invited back. We were not invited back, perhaps because the green room was bugged and they heard my comment about not being a fan of Dave????
All supporters should go buy a sandwich… Support Phelps, Support the cause… and make all his sponsers that drop him realize the missing revenue.
Subway it is, hence, what’s hot and tastey. Love those toppings!
I’ve got a new web site, just click my name above, it’s recent aerial photographs of my home town, Cookeville, Tennessee! Legislation is delayed here for MMJ, maybe 2010.
And who was the geneous to think this one up?
awesome……BOYCOTT KELLOGG’S FOR LIFE
I saw this commercial just the other day and noticed the semi-subtle music: “thank you… for letting me… be myself… again” and laughed myself silly. And I wanted to high-five the TV for a second, (Unfortunately there’s nobody in the house that would appreciate the humor in this other than myself.)
Did you notice the website address = subwayfreshbuzz.com
That my friends, is the pure essence of “Legendary!”
You know that some Ad. Executives got promotions for this brilliant little jewel = advertising gold. (pun intended)
Props to Subway for being bold enough to go with this ad, I can’t help but wonder if they have any more if these thought up and/or in the works? Subtle enough to pass over the heads of small children, the old fogies and most of the conservatives that were upset by all the “golden-hero takes a bong hit” photo controversy.
Awesome I’m only going to subway from now on and i’m going to boycott kellog
What the hell is MPP doing for PA how about some help here. I will never donate again until you come to PA!
[...] [...]
Makes me wonder what the next presidential campaign slogan will be, I get high with a little help from my friends? I will vote for that candidate.
I saved myself a bunch of MONEY by not spending it on kelloggs products. Guess where i’m going to spend it.
# 28: Ummm, Ketama Gold hash?
Thank you for the reply Mark, Glenolden, PA – comment #18.
Letterman is not my favorite, trust me. He does have some interesting bands on though and my guess is that 70% are MJ tokers.
I usually watch Conan and Ferguson. It would seem viable to consider asking the NBC and CBS people if they’d allow an open, intelligent, conversation covering the topic. Or shoot off an email to Conan or Ferguson.
Saw this commercial on SyFy yesterday. Then the rest of the commercials were for KFC and how people need to give up the “sub”, meaning Subway.
Those who care to should shoot off an email to the Subway site, surely they have one with customer service. Just a simple thank you for putting Phelps on would suffice plus the very real fact that it sent so many of you to their stores.
If anyone’s interested in sending them a thank you, you can find their customer service form here: http://www.subway.com/Applications/CustService/frmCustomerService.aspx =]
i’m with david, i know where ill be going to luch today. exept it will be more dinner time and won’t just be me i also have kansas city norml chapter rep. Brandon Ryan along. We’ll be discussing but none other than legalizing cannabis for all! If u live in the kansas city metro or just in missouri and want to make a contrubution with time or money call Brandon Ryan at 888-526-6765 ex. 425. i am a Proud member of both mpp and norml, lets all put our time and/or money where are mouth is and get this issue resolved once and for all!
I laughed.
that man is a hero,to win 8 GOLD MEDELS,thanks to michael phelps the u.s.a. can and is number one,hell i can eat subway and feel my munchies and teach my children the truth and michael phelps is AMERICAN HERO.just remember 1937 the refer madness,films make-believe propaganda,until hemp for victory movie to have farmers grow hemp for ships, rope,parachetts,or anything they needed.and after all that they wipe their ass on marijuana smokers,i bet if asked michael phelps would fight for the u.s.a. even after they put nasty on him.
WAY too GO Subway YOU won MY respect back.LOVE the sandwiches. The commercial with MP and Jared WAS the best ever.Very smart move!!!!!! DUMB MOVE KELLOGGS!!!!!!!!I’m going to SUBWAY AGAIN…..
[...] wreathed Phelps like an ugly newborn seven months ago in the wake of the bong pictures, only to bring him back on board in recent weeks for a series of print and TV commercials, in which he gushes about his love for jalapenos and banana peppers alongside a nervous and [...]
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