Major League Baseball has one thing to say to the credit crunch and that is to launch its biggest ever ad campaign, a $65m affair, to promote the upcoming post season.
With the strapline "There's Only One October" the spots will air on Fox, TBS and feature the likes of American Idol judge Randy Jackson, actor Timothy Hutton, comedians Frank Caliendo, Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall, and an animated Stewie from Family Guy.
MLB is kicking it off the campaign with this nice spot created by McCann-Erickson starring US comedy actor Rick Gonzalez of 'Coach Carter', 'War of the Worlds' and TV show 'Reaper' fame. It sort of reminds me of that recent Orange ad with cyclists Mark Beaumont.
There are a whole bunch of other similar spots on the way including one that evokes the tortured history of the Chicago Cubs, which is cool as they are currently the best team in baseball and almost a cert to make the post season.
We just had the Olympics and its almost like Major League Baseball wants to make sure that people don't switch off after a summer of sport and do instead stay tuned for Autumn the post season and the World Series. Fannation has suggested some alternative straplines including "We Guarantee The Chinese Won't Win".
It also suggests and "Now With 100% Fewer Yankees". Almost certainly true. As apart from divine intervention the Yankees look all but doomed and are unlikely to make it. This is a massive shame as it's the last year of Yankee stadium and they always make the playoffs, but with so many injuries this year it just hasn't happened. A resurgent Tampa Bay hasn't helped either.
Manny Ramirez now of the Dodgers also appears in the postseason advertising. I just hope that the Dodgers make it, if the Yankees don't. For Torre after his shabby treatment I imagine the satisfaction will be immense.
Looking forward to seeing the one with comedian Frank Caliendo, best known for impersonating President Bush, a role he reprises for the MLB. "There's Only One October..." as Caliendo, in his President Bush voice, closes by saying, "I'm pretty sure there's only one."
Talk about dancing on thin ice. Bush is, of course, a former owner of the Texas Rangers. Its almost like taking a pop at one of your own...but then it is George W Bush.
Personally, I'd like to see the Dodgers go up against the Los Angeles Angels, but the Cubs and the Rays might have something to say about that. I'm better that the Boston Red Sox can't do it again.
Follow me on Twitter
Gordon Macmillan
Blogging for:
Member since: 03 Jun 2008
Last login: 25 Nov 2009
Total Posts: 1,621
