June 17, 200817 yr http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/n...b08fae4500d3f97 Chicago Mayor Stars in White Sox Spot June 17, 2008 -By Gregory Solman LOS ANGELES Energy BBDO's new campaign for the Chicago White Sox shows star players responding to fans in the stands holding signs with signs of their own. And now Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley has flashed his own: I want in. The campaign concept is distinctive baseball marketing. For example, in one spot first baseman and captain Paul Konerko responds to a fan sign ("Run Paulie run") with a sign at the plate ("I don't run"), then after he belts a homer and rounds second base, holds up the punch line ("I trot"). According to Greg Braun, svp and group creative director at the Omnicom Group shop in Chicago, Brooks Boyer, the Sox vp and CMO, ran into the mayor at a function and he said he liked the campaign, agreeing to star in one spot that filmed over the weekend and will break next week. Braun explained that the spot features slugger A.J. Pierzynski, "who has a reputation for being stubborn and surly." He steps up to the plate and rebuffs signals to bunt from the third base coach and the manager. The camera cuts to Mayor Daley in the stands holding an understated sign to bunt, which Pierzynski obeys, legging out a base hit. "He defers to a higher authority," Braun said. "You know you have a funny spot when the security guys with the dark glasses and black suits and the earpieces start laughing during the filming," said Braun. "We shot the spot on Saturday and I went to the game on Sunday for Father's Day. It was gratifying to see fans holding all these signs with lines relating to the earlier spots, misspellings and all." Braun said the campaign has gained a lot of traction in Chicago for making the distinction between the players and the die-hard ChiSox fans. The team likes them too, he said, because the players hit, run, and catch, rather than do a lot of acting.
June 17, 200817 yr That last line is pretty funny, I'd say the majority of Sox fans I know hate these commercials seeing as how they're not funny or cute or particularly clever, just annoying.
June 17, 200817 yr QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 12:33 PM) That last line is pretty funny, I'd say the majority of Sox fans I know hate these commercials seeing as how they're not funny or cute or particularly clever, just annoying. The Konerko one is funny. The others range from OK to annoying. But this Daley one sounds pretty funny - looking forward to it.
June 17, 200817 yr QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 12:37 PM) The Konerko one is funny. The others range from OK to annoying. But this Daley one sounds pretty funny - looking forward to it. I don't like any of em really. And I hate the Konerko one...particularlly when I see it right after he hit into a double play with his trot.
June 17, 200817 yr QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 10:53 AM) I don't like any of em really. And I hate the Konerko one...particularlly when I see it right after he hit into a double play with his trot. +1 I've been disappointed with this year's commercials. IMO, the ones back in '05 and especially '06 were the best in recent memory. Too bad they fired that advertising company.
June 17, 200817 yr QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 12:33 PM) That last line is pretty funny, I'd say the majority of Sox fans I know hate these commercials seeing as how they're not funny or cute or particularly clever, just annoying. I like seeing swisher with his six-shooters and doing the worm, but I think it's also because my 4-year-old brother likes it and does the pistol move too. Otherwise, they do have kinda a campy feel. Not really as clever and entertaining as they think it is...
June 17, 200817 yr My favorite part in all of them is after Swisher does the worm and Hawk says "Dye with the catch, Swisher with the worm, I CANT STAND IT." Haha.
June 17, 200817 yr /\ That made me lol in a quiet work setting. Edited June 17, 200817 yr by ChiSox35
June 17, 200817 yr QUOTE (KyKyGruber @ Jun 17, 2008 -> 07:54 PM) I like the one with Orlando Cabrera holding the sign.( See Sig Below) You need to post more so we all get to see that awesome sig....ha
June 17, 200817 yr They arent amazing or anything, but compared to past commercials run by the whitesox the current ones are pretty good.
June 18, 200817 yr Even diehard Cubs fans I know laugh at Swisher in the Javy commerical. I don't see how anyone doesn't find that funny.
June 22, 200817 yr I just realized... who the hell would come to the Sox game with a sign that reads, "Run Paulie Run!"?
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.