Apr

2

2004

Marilyn Monroe in a Nike Ad

tags: , ,

Life as Research Assistant is always full of challenges. You never know what the next task would be. Here comes one. I was asked to find out who owns the copyright of a photo of Marilyn Monroe. The most bizarre thing is the photo was presented in an ad for Nike but I don’t think the brand of Nike already existed when the photo was firstly taken. Dr. Wolburg told me some advertising agency might have bought the copyright, but she was not sure if the contract has expired or not. So my job is to figure out who owns the photo now. My only clues are Marilyn Monroe, Nike ad, and the Roger Richman Agency, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. I googled it, and the most relavent thread is a post by a guy who was seeking for the picture then. But it was nearly 2 years ago. What am I supposed to do? If anyone of you happens to know something about this pic, would you please let me know? I might try Google Answer if I have no other choices but a few bucks.

I just posted the picture FYI. And the following is the text next to the picture:

NikeWomensMarilyn.JPG

A WOMAN IS OFTEN MEASURED by the things she cannot control. She is measured by the way her body curves or doesn’t curve, by where she is flat or straight or round. She is measured by 36-24-26 and inches and ages and numbers, by all the outside things that don’t ever add up to who she is on the inside. And so if a woman is to be measured, let her be measured by the things she can control, by who she is and who she is trying to become. Because every woman know, measurements are only statistics and STATISTICS LIE.

19 comments

    Michele Stone on April 13th, 2004 at 1:18 am

  • Sorry, can’t help you on where to find the copyright, but could you tell me where you found this ad? I’ve been looking for a post of it for ages! I’d love to know where you found it.
    Thanks,
    Michele
    wombat125@hotmail.com

    • Dan on April 15th, 2004 at 12:15 pm

  • I’ve replied your mail. Hope that helps. Good luck!

    • Adrian Sullivan on September 9th, 2004 at 2:20 pm

  • I, too, am looking for the Marilyn/Nike poster. If you have any info on where I might find one I would really appreciate it.
    Thanks,
    Adrian
    asullivan@sempra.com

    • Karen Blount on December 6th, 2004 at 10:45 pm

  • WOW! I had this ad framed after finding it in a magazine over 13 years ago now. I lost it in a fire a few years ago and miss it terribly. If anyone ever is able to get there hands on a copy, please let me know.
    Thanks, Karen kdritchie77@yahoo.com

    • Susan Bass on January 5th, 2005 at 8:43 am

  • Marilyn Monroe is the best.

    • anonomous on February 14th, 2005 at 7:57 pm

  • I think Marilyn monroe is so cool shes like my roll model!!!!

    • Harra Cahng from portland oregon on April 6th, 2005 at 9:44 pm

  • thats pretty cool!! i Nike!! u the best!
    oh and i usher raymond u kno the r and b singer

    • Jen on May 8th, 2005 at 10:25 pm

  • Dan-
    Can you also let me know where to find this ad? I have had the text for years but never had seen the whole thing before today. Do you have a citation?
    hutchj@gmail.com
    Thanks!
    Jen

    • chelsey Martin on May 26th, 2005 at 1:24 pm

  • Hey, this site is pretty cool. But… I was wondering if you could put more imformation on it. Me and my best friend Chandelery Maonicolahy is trying to find a good timeline and we heard that your site was good…http://blog.lidan.net/images/smilies/hehe.gif… YA….Soooooooooooooooooooooo…k…… bye and do what i told you too do..
    k Thanx bye…………… love… Lasheatah montobelahey :)

    • Kay on June 29th, 2005 at 7:45 pm

  • I have a copy of this ad .I believe it was in a people magazine and through moves I have damaged it.
    Has anyone ever found out where to get this
    Please let me know
    K

    • kay on July 7th, 2005 at 2:45 pm

  • I was just sent this ad from Nike and have it on my computer
    If you want it sent to you please let me know
    at gimmeabr8K@yahoo.com
    A nice guy helped me out a NIKE co.
    Kay

    • Regina on July 27th, 2005 at 2:46 pm

  • I would love to get information on where I can find a copy of this ad, preferably a poster if possible. I too have a copy of the magazine layout that looks OK but not the original print.
    Please email me - tobeafamily (at) excite.com.
    TIA
    Regina

    • Regina on July 27th, 2005 at 3:07 pm

  • BTW Don’t know if you’re still looking - the photograph was taken by Sam Shaw. He/his estate may still hold the copyright.
    HTH
    Regina

    • kj on October 26th, 2005 at 7:42 pm

  • hi - more than likely either the marilyn monroe estate/trust owns the pic or a major photo stock company - corbis or getty images owns it. good luck.

    • Arielle on December 14th, 2005 at 12:30 pm

  • i really like this quote. it is a really strong quote for woman today. i have done a couple research papers on Marilyn Monroe and i have come to read a lot about her life. she is very intriguing.

    • Pia on May 24th, 2006 at 11:32 pm

  • I have the poster of this Nike ad–this division of Nike Women did a dimensional mailer that offered the poster and notecards. Luckily I bought 2 of the poster because one has since been destroyed. The posters has the copy in subtle copper color text over the image but when you hang it the photo of Marilyn is just as beautifl with the words over it. I have tried to find more of this poster but no one seems to have it. Nike is probably the best and only place to contact to get more info.

    • mike maher on January 9th, 2007 at 5:12 pm

  • I found this poster framed today.It is beautiful and very powerful for women.I stumbled over it at a flea market in syracuse n.y. cool mike

    • pudge on June 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm

  • I have this poster, in a frame, and you don’t.

    • Ajay on July 16th, 2009 at 11:53 am

  • Where can I find this poster….scanned copy…anyone?

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