Bud Light Could Turn Your Town into ‘Whatever, USA’

We last encountered the #UpForWhatever tag in Bud Light’s spoof of the viral Mullen “World’s Toughest Job” ad (SPOILER: it was being a mom). That work came from Boston shop Relevant 24, but the newest sort-of-related spot comes to our inbox via BBDO’s Chicago and New York offices.

Here’s “Surprise Guest”:

You may notice that the spot is something of a tease: it’s only the latest in a series…

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W+K Amsterdam Debuts ‘There’s Power in Every Game’ for Powerade

W+K Amsterdam have a launched a new, global World Cup 2014 campaign for Powerade, “the official sports drink of FIFA.”In addition to television, the campaign also includes print/out of home, digital, and online documentary films (more on that later).

“There’s Power in Every Game” centers around Andrés Iniesta, the Spanish star who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup. He takes center stage in the 60-second spot (featured above), which also features five amateur athletes from around the world. Each of these athletes has “overcome challenges in their lives and in the process have lifted their teammates, rallied supporters and inspired communities through their dedication and achievements in the sport” — which exemplifies the campaign’s #PowerThrough message.

Each of these amateur athletes will be featured in their own documentary, starting with the inspirational story of Nicolai “Nico” Calabria. Debuted at the Kicking + Screaming Football Festival in New York last week and being released as a television spot in addition to its online release, the two minute film tells Nico’s story growing up with one leg and defying expectations to succeed as an athlete. Incorporating an impressively-edited mix of home video footage and live action film, it’s a powerful telling of Nico’s story, and well worth a watch.

“Nico’s story is one of unwavering determination,” said Brynn Bardacke, global group creative director for Powerade. “He truly embodies what we mean when we say there’s power in every player and power in every game.”

Stick around for “Nico & Powerade,” along with credits, after the jump. continued…

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Amy Poehler Shines as Boss in Chandelier’s New Old Navy Spot

Amy Poehler shines as a boss with a pampered dog and an obsession with a prospective employee’s pants in Chandelier’s new spot for Old Navy, created in conjunction with Rock Paper Scissors and Sonic Union.

In the spot, the Parks and Recreation star/SNL alum Poehler is supposed to be conducting a job interview, but can’t get over the applicants’ Old Navy Pixie Pants. “Are all these questions going to be about my pants?” the girl asks. To which Poehler responds, “Uh, this is a law firm, so yes.”

When Poehler learns that the pants are only $25 and come with a free top, she hires the girl on the spot so that she can run out and buy a pair. All this is actually a good deal funnier than that synopsis sounds, thanks to Poehler’s signature deadpan humor. Poehler also helped write and direct the spot, which helps explain how it works so well with her brand of comedy. The :30 spot doesn’t waste any time getting to the funny, either, as Poehler opens the ad with a great throwaway line. Check it out for yourself above, and stick around for credits after the jump.

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Dodge Durango Partners with Ron Burgundy, Because Everyone Loves Ron Burgundy

Dodge and Paramount have joined forces in a co-branded campaign from W+K launching the new 2014 Dodge Durango featuring Ron Burgundy (of Anchorman and the upcoming Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, but you already knew that).

The campaign, which spans television, print, digital and social media, debuted October 5th online and on television. Be prepared to see it everywhere.

“With the personal involvement of Will Ferrell, our writer / director Adam McKay, the comedy team at Funny or Die, and the Dodge creative team at Wieden+Kennedy, we were able to create a truly epic partnership,” says CMO of Paramount Picture Josh Greenstein in a statement. But are the spots actually funny? Some of them — they really very widely in quality. Each of the spots takes advantage of the 70s aesthetic in the Anchorman films, taking place in a colorful, very 70s auto showroom. The first spot, “Horsepower” is a bit of a letdown. It resurrects the tired “comparing horse power to an actual horse” theme commonly used in spots for powerful vehicles.

The staring contest with the horse at the end is almost worth a chuckle though. “Glove Compartment” is a lot better: it features Ron Burgundy toting the Durango’s glove compartment, which can hold “two turkey sandwiches or seventy packs of gum.” Another spot finds Burgundy struggling with a script that touts the Durango’s “m.p.g.” performance. The highlight is definitely “Ballroom Dancers,” featured above, which has a comically angry showdown between Burgundy and dancers that he thinks may “live in the rafters.” A lot of this is stuff that only Ferrell could get away with delivering, and only about half of the time is the writing worthy of his talent, but when it works it works. Plus, it will whet people’s appetites for the Anchorman sequel, which is kind of the point.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues debuts in theaters December 20th. Credits and additional video after the jump.  continued…

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