Hasta La Creative!

W+K Portland launched a 30-second, celebrity-filled new spot for Nike Golf’s Vapor driver.

Entitled “Why Change?” the ad promotes the Nike Vapor’s improved technology as being able to improve your game, no matter how good you are. It features appearances from athletes Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie and Bo Jackson. Even the voiceover has star power, provided by comedian Keegan-Michael Key (of Key and Peele), who seems to be making the rounds in advertising lately. Key informs each athlete that, with the Vapor, they can improve their game, even if Barkley insists his swing is perfect. The approach is handled well, with Key’s expert comedic timing helping W+K to pull off the humorous spot. Plus, it’s really nice to see Bo Jackson getting some love.

“Why Change?” launched yesterday and will run on broadcast for two weeks. It is supported by a digital/interactive initiative, running until March 8th.

Credits:

W+K PORTLAND

Creative Directors: Chris Groom / Stuart Brown

Copywriter: Brock Kirby

Art Director: Derrick Ho

Producer: Jeff Selis

Interactive Strategy: Reid Schilperoort

Strategic Planning: Andy Lindblade/Brandon Thornton

Media/Comms Planning: Alex Dobson/Jocelyn Reist

Account Team: Alyssa Ramsey/Rob Archibald/Heather Morba/Ramiro Del-Cid

Business Affaires: Dusty Slowik

Project Management: Nancy Rea

Executive Creative Directors: Joe Staples/Mark Fizloff

Head of Production: Ben Grylewicz

PRODUCTION

Production Company: Biscuit Filmworks

Director: Steve Rogers

Executive Producer: Holly Vega

Line Producer: Vincent Landay

Director of Photography: Nicolas Karakatsanis

EDITORIAL

Editorial Company: Joint Editorial

Editor: Matthew Hilber

Post Producer: Leslie Carthy

Post Executive Producer: Patty Brebner

VFX

VFX Company: The Mill

VFX Supervisor: Tim Davies

VFX Producer: Will Lemmon

MUSIC + SOUND DESIGN

Music+Sound Company: Barking Owl

DIGITAL / INTERACTIVE

W+K PORTLAND

Creative Director: Chris Groom/Stuart Brown

Copywriter: Brock Kirby

Art Director: Derrick Ho

Producer: Jeff Selis

Interactive Strategy: Reid Schilperoort

Strategic Planning: Andy Lindblade/Brandon Thornton

Media/Comms Planning: Alex Dobson/Jocelyn Reist

Account Team: Alyssa Ramsey/Rob Archibald/Heather Morba/Ramiro Del-Cid

Executive Creative Directors: Joe Staples/Mark Fitzloff

Agency Executive Producer: Ben Grylewicz

Digital Designer: Rob Mumford

Exec Interactive Producer: Patrick Marzullo

Content Producer: Byron Oshiro/Sarah Gamazo

Broadcast: Jeff Selis

Art Buying: Amy Berriochoa

Photographer: Henrique Plantikow

Interactive Studio Artist: Adam Sirkin, Oliver Rokoff

Michael Jordan’s Hanes must be in a twist now that Scottie Pippen has proclaimed himself the greatest player in Chicago Bulls history in this Foot Locker commercial.

Pippen’s cheeky claim comes toward the end of the amusing BBDO spot, in which Charles Barkley tells Houston Rockets star James Harden that all the greats have short memories.

“Achieving greatness requires never dwelling on the past,” explains Foot Locker evp of marketing Stacy Cunningham. “It’s always about looking ahead to the next opportunity and staying fresh.”

In the ad, Barkley says he has no recollection of being nicknamed “the Round Mound of Rebound.” Harden himself, of course, always forgets to shave. Kidding. Dude rocks that look! The spot is nothing but net for Foot Locker, generating lots of positive coverage and more than half a million views in less than 24 hours on YouTube. It’s called “Short Memory Pt. 1.” I wonder who’ll be forgetting stuff next?

Jordan’s long memory is well documented, and he isn’t exactly famous for being able to take a joke. I wouldn’t be surprised if the big grouch calls Pippen out for slinging bull.

Capital One pitchman Alec Baldwin gets an assist from Charles Barkley in new ads from DDB Chicago and Tool director Erich Joiner timed to the NCAA's March Madness tournament, of which the financial firm is a prominent sponsor. In one spot, the pair perform goofy schtick during a sports broadcast, with the Round Mound's tent-size underpants held up to ridicule. In another, they attend a basketball game, where Sir Charles keeps snacks warm inside his jacket and reveals, "It's like a little hot-dog steamer in there"—which is frankly something I never needed to know. All this sporty-bro-bonding is kind of strained and silly, but overall the tone is probably in tune with the target audience. Besides, Baldwin's slimy smile and smug delivery never get old. And Barkley's dazed and indifferent acting style is a hoot—it's as if he can't collect his check and get off the set fast enough. They're like a puffy, middle-aged Odd Couple, and their combined charisma—though not much else—keeps the proceedings from becoming the commercial equivalent of an air ball. More spots and a behind-the-scenes clip after the jump.