Page "Spike Lee" Paragraph 9

Marketing executives from Nike offered Lee a job directing commercials for the company.

They wanted to pair Lee's character, the Michael Jordan-loving Mars Blackmon, and Jordan in a marketing campaign for the Air Jordan line.

Later, Lee was called on to comment on the controversy surrounding the inner-city rash of violence involving youths trying to steal Air Jordans from other kids.

He said that, rather than blaming manufacturers of apparel that gained popularity, " deal with the conditions that make a kid put so much importance on a pair of sneakers, a jacket and gold ".

Through the marketing wing of 40 Acres and a Mule, Lee has directed commercials for Converse, Jaguar, Taco Bell and Ben & Jerry's.