US Ad of the Day: Jimmy Kimmel, Tony Hawk and the Manning brothers behold the NBA Finals
An impressive roster of sports and pop culture icons star in the league’s commercial ahead of the 2023 NBA Finals, ‘We are all in the finals.’
To rally global excitement around the forthcoming 2023 NBA Finals, the league has today launched a star-studded ad campaign showcasing the breadth of emotions every NBA fan feels during the final stretch of the season.
Set to Adele’s debut single, Hometown Glory, the ad, titled ‘We are all in the finals,’ demonstrates the high stakes of the NBA Finals, both for the players competing on the court and millions of fans watching worldwide.
Many of those fans will be quite recognizable to viewers; they include rapper SUGA, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and football royalty Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. In the ad, each figure gazes upon the drama unfolding on the court. Some watch courtside, others from their living room and even the green room. The end of the ad cuts to basketball legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who marvel at the many championship rings they’ve earned throughout their illustrious careers.
The NBA Finals begin on June 1. “The NBA Finals are a global event that marks the exhilarating culmination of a seasonlong journey,” said Tammy Henault, NBA chief marketing officer in a statement shared with The Drum. “We are thrilled to bring together an illustrious cast of NBA legends, celebrities and fans to match the emotions and anticipation around the most exciting time of the season.”
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Part of the NBA Finals campaign also includes an activation called “Larry’s NBA Finals 2023 Bucket List.” Before the prize is presented to the 2023 NBA Champions, the Larry O’Brien Trophy is being taken on a nationwide tour. It has already hit major New York City landmarks, making its way around the Kentucky Derby, hitting the Formula 1 race in Miami and visiting furry friends at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
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‘We are all in the finals’ was led by creative agency Translation, and directed by Ryan Booth, known for helming projects for brands like Spotify, Google, Vevo and Nike. The spot will premier tonight during Game 5 of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers series on TNT, as well as across digital and social channels.
Credit
Agency: Translation
Production: Pulse Films
Editorial: Work Editorial
VFX: Parliament
Color grade: Rare Medium
Audio post-production: Sonic Union
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