I RATE ADS

jtherkal: After those sleek, fashionable black and white ads (which I didn’t love) this is an absolute disconnect and disgrace. They seemed to be building a mystique, making Gatorade seem top shelf, even classy. And to follow it up with a poorly done Monty Python ripoff–shameful. One of the keys of using athletes in commercials is understanding that most of them CAN NOT act (Lebron & Peyton being the exception). And if you’re going to do something like this, it has to be well written and amazingly funny. This is neither. Rarely, if ever, have I invoked sjb’s Ad Exec Masturbation classification, but this is worthy. It’s awful in every sense of the word. To think, your client is Gatorade. You can use some of the biggest stars in the world, and this is the trash you put out? It made me sick to my stomach to watch all nine minutes of this. Should have been aborted in the concept phase. Double F.

sjbooher: Wow. Ouch. I like it, but I’m completely biased. Usain Bolt’s head running around and Kareem’s cameo make me laugh every time. I definitely thought the same thing though, as far as being disconnected from the “What’s G?” part of the campaign. B.

sjbooher: I will say this… I didn’t know this 9 minute piece of crap existed. The edited quick hitters shown on TV are a big improvement.

sjbooher: I love the idea… but I think I only like the result. I have a couple problems. First, Kobe vs. Shaq is soooooooooo 2004. There are so many storylines in the Western Conference Playoffs this year, that it seems weak and lazy to try and drum up more Shobe controversy. My second problem is with the LeBron/KG edition… well, I just realized it is not as much of a problem, after re-listening. I thought they both said “I remember seeing Bird win it all”, but after listening closely, LeBron says “Jordan”. Still though… this version is obviously scripted, since they would not both have nearly identical quotes, and I bet they forced KG to say “Bird”, just because he plays in Boston now. He is fo sho a Jordan baby. Anyway, they could have put up a black screen with “NBA Playoffs” written on it for 30 seconds, and I would have been excited, but the NBA did not reach the full potential with these. B.

Now, jtherkal, say it with me one time… PLAYOFFS?!?!?!?

jtherkal: Yes! Don’t talk to me about playoffs! Kobe was on PTI yesterday and they asked him about this, which was kind of funny. But sjb is right, let Shaq and Kobe go. The only way I’ll care about that now is if Shaq would actually go Incredible Hulk on Kobe. HULK SMASH KOBE! These ads were alright, but kind of forgettable. There is so much drama in the NBA, as my associate said, specifically out west, and these don’t really capture that. Probably a clever idea on paper, but falls flat in execution. C.

And just for fun, my all time favorite press conference:

We talking about practice?!

This might be the #1 spot from the campaign. It appeals to the “everyman” out there by showcasing one of the best aspects of sports — it’s melting pot effect. Sports, specifically the NBA in this case, can bring people together from all walks of life, and this ad showcases that scenario. In addition, this had to be very appealing to a specific NBA niche — the Celtics fan. This commercial really tugs at my emotions. I love it. A+.

The Mouth:

No part of me disagrees with my associate here. For me, it’s the song. An unexpected, fairly forgotten song that fits perfectly with the message. The only part that I don’t like is that it’s Boston. They took our Tom Brady. And now Detroit doesn’t get KG? Still: A.