• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Lad, 13, who kept being told off for doodling in class ended up with a Nike deal

Home> News> UK News

Published 20:41 26 Sep 2023 GMT+1

Lad, 13, who kept being told off for doodling in class ended up with a Nike deal

The teenager turned his classroom pastime into a full-time job

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

It seems like doodling in class is just simply a right of passage when it comes to passing the time in a boring classroom at school.

However, while many of our scribbles of those graffiti 'universal s' symbols or, more commonly, very intricate penis drawings, one lad's doodles wound up securing him a mammoth deal with Nike for a digital campaign to encourage children’s creativity.

Joe Whale, 13, who is better known on social media as 'Doodle Boy', was often told off in school for doodling but it seems he's been able to turn his passion with a pen into a full-on job.

After being frequently lectured in class for the free-hand artwork, Joe later gained attention for his illustrations through Instagram, where he now boasts more than 166k followers.

In a bizarre turn of events, Joe, who hails from Shrewsbury, went on to collaborate with one of the world's biggest sport attire brands.

Advert

Joe Whale, AKA Doodle Boy, landed a deal with Nike after being told off in school for doodling.
Instagram/@thejoewhale

His agency, Loveblood Creative, confirmed the partnership in a written statement released last year.

It read: "We are so very excited to confirm that Joe is now part of the Nike Family.

"It really is a unique relationship that puts Joe’s talent and love of sport together to inspire others to have fun and do what they love."

Joe's father, Gregory Whale, revealed to CNN at the time: "Joe is really excited to join the Nike Family, he absolutely loves the brand.

Advert

"It is a dream come true for him as he loves both sport and creativity and partnering with Nike will give him the opportunity to embrace both."

On the official Doodle Boy website, Joe explains: "I have been drawing and painting since the age of three and art has been a huge part of my life - I would draw, paint and do crafts at every opportunity and that hasn't changed to this day."

Joe's dad revealed the Nike deal was 'a dream come true' for his son.
Instagram/@thejoewhale

He also told fans that his 'favourite characters to draw are food, monsters and aliens'.

However, he noted: "I pretty much create doodles from anything as I get inspired by my surroundings and create characters from all of the things I see such as my burger and fries characters, flowers, vegetables, cakes - yum -, clouds, etc."

Advert

And, according to Joe, there is just 'one rule' he religiously follows when it comes to his doodles.

"There is no right or wrong in art just interpretation," he revealed, "and this means when I create I am completely free to express."

Who knows what's next to come for the child prodigy?

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/thejoewhale

Topics: Art, Jobs, Money, Nike, UK News, Viral, Weird, Education, Good News

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Man who won £5.4 million on lottery ended up homeless after one mistake 'destroyed his life'
  • Half a million Brits are being given up to £1,500 yearly pay rise from today
  • Woman awarded £24,000 after being fired on day off in ‘catch up’ work call
  • Lad forces school to make uniform rule change after turning up to class in skirt

Choose your content:

a minute ago
3 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • a minute ago

    Donald Trump shuts down reporter who asked Jeffrey Epstein question following release of CCTV footage

    It seems the US President deems the topic to be no longer up for discussion

    News
  • 3 mins ago

    Cardiologist who had heart attack warns people to not 'make same mistake' over little-known warning sign

    The irony isn't lost on Dr William Wilson

    News
  • an hour ago

    Man who lost nine stone in 10 months on Mounjaro reveals the surprising psychological side effect

    Marc McKee has referred to the medication as a 'lifeline' for helping him lose weight

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Missing 'Star Dust' plane vanished after cryptic Morse code message as Amelia Earhart plane 'finally discovered'

    The missing aircraft remained a mystery for more than 50 years

    News