Visa vanquishes rivals with 'Go Phelps' ads
If you've been watching the Olympics, you've seen Visa's "Go World" commercials from TBWA\Chiat\Day, in which the impressive feats of Olympic athletes are recounted in gold-tinted slow motion. They made an impressive number of spots (all viewable at the Go World site), but what really struck me were the three executions specifically created for Michael Phelps that aired right after each of his wins. There was the generic, Michael-isn't-a-dolphin spot, which came after the first few, then the specific congratulations on winning more gold medals than anybody ever, and of course, another one for surpassing Mark Spitz's record with eight golds in one Olympics. In the bevy of ads that followed Phelps's wins, Visa stood out as the only advertiser with a relevant message. The spots were given extra gravitas by narrator Morgan Freeman, who was injured in a car crash recently. So, of course, they were recorded far in advance, even though the footage was turned around in less than a day from Phelps's previous victory. What I wonder is what the ad would have said if Phelps hadn't pulled it off. Did they have a special "You're still crazy-awesome, Michael, and we still love you" commercial ready? —Posted by Rebecca Cullers |
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August 18, 2008 in Cullers, Michael Phelps, Olympics, TBWA, TV, Visa | Permalink |
Comments
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Indeed these were timely and well remembered. I would guess Visa had an arsenal of VO from Freeman for all top prospect athletes on the team (in the hopes that one of them would be used.)
Posted by: Craig Murray | Aug 18, 2008 11:06:27 AM
Contextually relevant, moving, cool to watch and hear. GO TBWA!
Posted by: debbers | Aug 18, 2008 1:39:42 PM
I swear, when Phelps wins his 8th gold, if you read his lips he yells, "Play my commercial." Which far replaces the tired phrase "I'm going to Disneyland."
Posted by: D | Aug 18, 2008 6:22:34 PM
I wasn't surprised, the first commercial after Phelps' landmark 8th win, it was the Visa "congratulations on your 8th win" commercial. NBC really must of had their finger on the button.
Does the government work that fast with their nuclear weapons? Probably not!
Posted by: Rebecca B. | Aug 18, 2008 8:19:34 PM
I found myself wondering the exact same thing when the 'Eight Golds in One Olympics' ad aired immediately following Phelps eighth win.
Now, I can't help but wish we could see the "You're still an American Legend" commercial that they would have aired if Phelps hadn't won (assuming one exists).
Posted by: Marcie Blagden | Aug 20, 2008 3:55:58 PM
