I am not what you’d call a sports fan. I seldom know what’s happening during a football game, and I find myself asking my husband “when does this golf business wrap up today?” more than I’d like to admit.
Football season means the best TV in our home is constantly on ESPN. However, the other day (during the 47th episode of Sports Center for the day) an ad during the commercial break piqued my interest.
What appeared to be an established sports reporter wrapped up a quick analysis, then cut off his video feed. He ripped off a façade of a suit and tie to display a Slayer t-shirt, turned up the heavy metal and jumped into bed to dig into some Chinese food. All of this was offset by other journalists commenting on his sharp critiquing abilities and professionalism.
I bet if I knew who John Clayton was, this would have been hilarious. But even though I didn’t, I loved this. In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the commercial:
ESPN commissioned Wieden and Kennedy NY for this spot, and after some quick searches I found out that they’ve done a ton of great work for ESPN. Their famous “This is SportsCenter” campaign (inspired by the cult movie “This is Spinal Tap”) has lasted since 1995 with nearly 400 ads produced. They also launched a humorous campaign in August for Espn.com’s Fantasy Football, entitled “It’s Good to Be the Commissioner”, with an integrated online toolkit allowing commissioners to enforce rules upon, grade, and decorate their leagues.
I may never be able to carry on a conversation about last night’s game for more than two minutes, but I think football season just got a little more exciting for me. While everyone else is looking for up-to-the-minute stats, I will be waiting for the next exciting commercial break.
About Profiles
Profiles is a unique staffing firm specializing in Marketing employment, Creative, and Web & IT jobs. Since 1998, we have served the needs of our Clients and Talent by matching the best candidates with the best companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Author Name – Janna Haley
Title – Account Manager
Location – Richmond, VA
Twitter – @ProfilesJanna
Byline – Janna has four years of recruiting experience with Profiles and loves working within the ever-evolving niche of Marketing and Advertising. When she isn’t seeking out the latest and greatest in the field, she enjoys experimenting at the piano, cuddling with her crazy dog, and tasting new food and wine.
