China: A distant land where Derrick Rose can still walk and Dwight Howard plays with a smile on his face.
In a new Adidas spot for the Chinese market, TWBA Shanghai and production company Six Toes Shanghai release dolls of the Bulls and Magic basketball stars from behind a storefront window, allowing the pint-sized ballers to do b-ball battle against an awfully frightening looking dog. Supported by jaw-dropping animation from Pixomondo Studios, where 12 different artists added 2D, 3D, and cell animation, the spot publicizes a current promotional deal in China, which offers customers with a free figurine of NBA players with select purchases.
If you notice, this spot looks fairly reminiscent of Nike’s Li’l Penny campaign from the 90s (which is among my favorites of all time) but it’s probably not a coincidence. After all, those Li’l Penny spots made Anfernee Hardaway’s Nike basketball kicks the second best-selling signature line in history, behind only Michael Jordan’s. What I’m trying to say is, bring Li’l Penny back to the States! That, or someone from China needs to send me a Derrick Rose action figure right away.
Visit the campaign’s website here and view credits after the jump.
Agency: TBWA Shanghai
Production Company: Six Toes Shanghai
Director: Fabrice Sanchez
Producer: Haydn Evans
Producer: Thomas Stavonhagen
VFX: Pixomondo
Supervisor: Daniel Rajcic (Shanghai)