In light of the “no homo” press conference from Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, this new Boost Mobile basketball spot from 180LA may strike some sensitive nerves. However, the humor is handled with enough subtlety to tiptoe around accusations of offensiveness. There’s also a really well-timed nuts joke that might make you chuckle if you are into such sectors of comedy.
In the commercial, one unlucky defender gets posterized on in a pick-up basketball game, and to make things worse, his face gets an up-close view of the sweaty dunker’s crotch. For those who aren’t basketball aficionados, there was actually a name for such a move – balls on your head – that became popular in the 1990s when young NBA players like Darius Miles would dunk on a guy. After the dunk, the player would run down the court celebrating like this (I’m not making this up). Whether Boost Mobile knows it or not, they are bringing back forgotten basketball treasure. The commercial is probably making some subconscious statement about the intersection of black, gay, and youth cultures, but as a consumer product, it’s really just funny. You see, Tyler, the Creator, it’s possible to make an effective ad without relying on stereotypes. Credits after the jump.
Executive Creative Director: William Gelner
Copywriter: Sean Smith
Art Director: Brandon Sides
Head of Production: Natasha Wellesley
Senior Producer: Dave Stephenson
Head of Account Management: Chad Bettor
Account Director: Jerico Cabaysa
Account Manager: Paul Kinsella
Account Coordinator: Mackenzie Walen
Planner: Mitch Polatin
Production
Production Co.: Pulse Films
Director: Andy Fisher
DP: Ben Kitchens
Executive Producer: Cory Berg
Production Designer: Sean Ryan
Stylist: Keith Wager
Casting Company: Good People Casting
Casting Director: Cindy Estrada
Shoot Location: Los Angeles, CA
Shoot Date: 5/25/13
Editorial
Editorial Company: Cut + Run
Editor: Ben McCambridge
Executive Producer: Carr Schilling
Producer: Christie Price
Assistant Editor: Aidan Haley
Completion/Special Effects
Colorist: Shane Reed
Transfer Facility: The Mill
Online/VFX: The Mill
Flame Artist: Gareth Parr
Managing Director: Ben Hampshire
Executive Producer: Sue Troyan
Head of Production: Ari Davis
Deputy Head of Production: Enca Kaul
Producer: Jessica Ambrose
Recording Mix
Recording Studio: eleven sound
Date: 5/31/13
Mixer: Jeff Payne
Asst Mixer: Ben Freer
Client Credits
Director, Brand Strategy + Marketing : Peiti Feng
Multicultural Brand Manager : Arlin Morales
Creative Marketing Manager: Wally Fox
Brand Manager: Ian O’Gorman
Experiential Brand Manager: Mark Shoptaw