Vol. 7, Sept. 11, 2024: Fox Sports' Bill Battin Took a Theatrical Approach to Introducing Tom Brady to NFL Fans
The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences
?Pepsi partnered with Paramount Pictures to kick off the 2024 NFL season in gladiatorial fashion. The campaign, which pays homage to another visit Pepsi made to the Roman Coliseum 20 years ago, is inspired by Paramount’s upcoming theatrical release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II on November 22.?
?Instead of Britney Spears, Beyonce and Pink, it features Megan Thee Stallion as Empress Megan, who recorded a version of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” for the spot, and four NFL superstars – Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Kansas City Chiefs tight end (and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend) Travis Kelce.?
In May, Tom Brady finally confirmed when exactly he would begin his new career as an analyst for the NFL on Fox, starting with the Dallas Cowboys versus the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, September 8. Back in 2022, Fox Sports gave Brady a ten-year $375 million contract. According to the?New York Times’ The Athletic, he spent the following year working closely with Fox Sports NFL executive producer Brad Zager, lead announcer Kevin Burkhardt, other famous former footballers-turned-talkers such as Terry Bradshaw, and many others on Fox Sports’ NFL team while getting ready to make his debut. In June, Brady got some practice in by calling the UFL championship for Fox.
“With Brady — the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback widely considered the greatest player in the history of the game and now in possession of the most lucrative known sports commentator contract of all time — Fox Sports has tried to publicly temper expectations for what is probably the most anticipated TV game analyst debut in history,”?The?Athletic?wrote.
With all of that as background, Fox Sports’ marketing department had a tricky job ahead of it. It had to produce a campaign that met – not underpromised or overshot – fans’ expectations for Brady’s arrival. Fox Sports’ Bill Battin senior VP, on-air promotions, talked to Spotlight about how he, his team and their agency and production partners worked to achieve that balance while producing a spot that they hoped would surprise viewers. Read Spotlight’s edited interview with Battin?here.?
Off of its takeover of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter at Comic-Con in July, HBO’s taking its original limited series?The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb, to New York City.?
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Starting Monday, September 9, HBO, Max and?The Penguin, in collaboration with?Matte Projects, are rolling out merch trucks throughout the city, working with local businesses and lighting up the city’s iconic landmarks with The Penguin’s signature shade of plum.?The Penguinalso is dropping in on the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, visiting the New York Latino Film Festival Block Party (of which HBO and Max are sponsors), hosting early screenings at participating Alamo Drafthouses and offering specialty items at local NYC businesses.?
The Global Entertainment Marketing Academy of Arts & Sciences (G.E.M.A.) is thrilled to launch Community Voices, a platform dedicated to showcasing the remarkable achievements of our members in the entertainment marketing industry. This initiative celebrates the talents and contributions of G.E.M.A. members, fostering a sense of community and inspiring others.
Our first featured member is Andria Anderson. With a wealth of experience as a creative leader in the broadcast media industry, Andria currently holds the position of associate director, creative at The E.W. Scripps Company. Learn more about Andria’s inspiring journey on our?Community Voices?page.
To be featured, G.E.M.A. members can submit their stories by emailing us at?[email protected]?and?completing the questionnaire. Please note, submissions to Community Voices are exclusively for G.E.M.A. members.