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World's Fastest Nudist Fooled Us All!


By

Jen Carlson

Published Oct 29, 2009

Modified Oct 29, 2009


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By

Jen Carlson

Published Oct 29, 2009

Modified Oct 29, 2009


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Last month the World's Fastest Nudist was just a mysterious, fanny-pack wearing man trotting through the boroughs, scaring young children, and posting videos on YouTube. After getting coverage both online and on screen — it even made it to the desk of Anderson Cooper — the veil has been pulled off: he's just another marketing tool, and we've all been duped.

Today the NY Times reports on the latest video, which is a blatant advertisement for online shoe company Zappo's. They declared: “We’re not preying on anyone’s emotions. This was all about fun.” But what about all those other nude running enthusiasts who looked up to the WFN as a mentor — what about their emotions unnamed online shoe company?

The agency who dreamed up the WFN told the paper that since they "did not pitch to Mr. Cooper’s show, to 'have a viral video go out over CNN was a breakthrough.'” Sigh, it's like Balloon Boy all over again.

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WFN

World's Fastest Nudist

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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