Reebok made decathletes Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson the center of a memorable 1992 marketing campaign that backfired on the road to the Barcelona Olympics
![I dislike sports, but I couldn't quit listening to ESPN's podcast about Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson I dislike sports, but I couldn't quit listening to ESPN's podcast about Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson](https://dmn-dallas-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/2Epicpnr6ng8nCIPWALt1XIG_do=/fit-in/1660x934/smart/filters:no_upscale()/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-dmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/N7DXVFTPJSEHMJGFF2VJ5VHMLA.jpg)
I dislike sports, but I couldn't quit listening to ESPN's podcast about Dan O'Brien and Dave Johnson
![Darren Rovell on Twitter: "This week in 1992: Dave Johnson, the man behind Reebok's $25M “Dan vs. Dave” campaign, wins bronze in Olympic decathlon. Ad campaign went bust when Dan O'Brien failed Darren Rovell on Twitter: "This week in 1992: Dave Johnson, the man behind Reebok's $25M “Dan vs. Dave” campaign, wins bronze in Olympic decathlon. Ad campaign went bust when Dan O'Brien failed](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E78kgpbXsAogkMr.jpg)
Darren Rovell on Twitter: "This week in 1992: Dave Johnson, the man behind Reebok's $25M “Dan vs. Dave” campaign, wins bronze in Olympic decathlon. Ad campaign went bust when Dan O'Brien failed
![The Legend of Reebok's 'Dan and Dave' ad campaign, as told by Dan and Dave | Sports | santafenewmexican.com The Legend of Reebok's 'Dan and Dave' ad campaign, as told by Dan and Dave | Sports | santafenewmexican.com](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/santafenewmexican.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/f1/af1a31fa-728f-5ea4-90d4-a8334b154fa4/594eef363e903.image.jpg?resize=330%2C500)