Ballantine's Golf Club creates interactive game allowing users to play alongside Paul McGinley
Ballantine's whisky is trying to win over golf lovers with the chance to play with Ryder Cup legend Paul McGinley in an interactive video.
Paul McGinley
The Call the Shots game is the latest campaign from virtual game Ballantine's Golf Club, and allows users to play a par five hole with McGinley ,who tasks players with making every decision throughout including which strategy and club he uses.
The game is part of the whisky brand’s Ballantine's Golf Club concept, an online club created by M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment offering golf enthusiasts unique content and money can’t buy experiences around the sport.
London-based creative and production agency Just So created the game for Ballantine's Golf Club, building on its earlier activations for the brand such as its Moment of Truth series, which consisted of inspiring films starring Paul McGinley and Ian Poulter.
Jonny Madderson, co-founder at Just So, said the concept of the interactive video was inspired by the idea of “how fun would it be for golfers of all ability to play a hole and test their skill with one of the world's best golfers”.
“Interactive videos can sound good in a PR hook, but the actual experience is often underwhelming," continued Madderson.
"It can feel like a gimmick; interactive video for its own sake. With Call the Shots, the idea came first and then our bespoke tech was designed to deliver what was needed. We want people to remember the fun of the film, not the technology. The viewer has to weigh up situations, consider strategy and make the right call. Play it right and an eagle is up for grabs, get it wrong and you could make a triple bogey. It’s a really fun experience.”
Earlier this year, McGinley was appointed as ‘Club Captain’ of the Europe Ryder Cup team at a media event at the Scottish Open where Ian Poulter, former captain, handed over the Captain’s jacket.
The interactive game is available to play here.