#MJMondays: Mars Says Goodbye With Air Jordan VI

December 28, 2015 BY Yale Schalk / 0

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When ad firm Wieden+Kennedy suggested the Spike Lee-created Mars Blackmon character to kickstart a whole new Air Jordan campaign in 1988, no one quite anticipated how successfully the venture would unfold. In fact, it wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without Michael Jordan‘s approval, which was slightly compounded by the fact that Jordan didn’t know who Spike and Mars even were at the time.

But we know the story – Spike and Mike hit it off, churning out instantly classic commercial and print ads for four straight years. Air Jordan VI in 1991 would be the last Mars x Air Jordan ads before Bugs Bunny was brought in to unleash Hare Jordan on the scene. Before handing over duties, Mars helped Nike sell a ton of VIs, starring in clips like “It’s Gotta Be The Shoes” from the 1991 NBA Finals. This was one of the last Mars pitches ever filmed during that original run, although Spike would reappear in subsequent years.

Rewind with that spot below, and stay tuned for more #MJMondays.