04/21/2026
Brand language matters more than brands think.
Nike pulled a Boston Marathon ad after backlash over the phrase “walkers tolerated.” What seems like a small word choice quickly turned into a much bigger conversation about identity, belonging, and how people experience a brand.
Featured in the New York Post, Ravi Sawhney, Founder of RKS Design and creator of Psycho Aesthetics, shares why this moment matters:
“The word ‘tolerated’ didn’t just describe walkers — it defined their place in a hierarchy… The experience moves from ‘I belong here’ to ‘I am less than here.’”
This is exactly the kind of cultural moment where perception shifts instantly, before logic. And once that feeling is created, it’s not easily undone.
PR is not just about visibility. It’s about understanding how people feel.
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