We are now in the season of LeBron James commercials. He’s like Victor Cruz, only taller, better, richer, and not a Time Warner Cable lackey. If you happened to watch the opening night of the NBA season, you saw three different LeBron endorsements, including a new two-minute Samsung spot (:60 version with just the family after the jump) that gives viewers a glimpse into the family life of the best basketball player in the world.
If you care about such things, you may remember last year’s Samsung/LBJ launch, which also premiered on opening night as the Miami Heat were getting their first set of rings. That 2012 spot was more about LeBron and his friends ruling Miami in barber shops and ice cream trucks. This year’s version is all about LeBron and his family: his sons hanging out in the pool or on a driveway basketball court as his wife films from a Samsung Galaxy. “The Next Big Thing is Here” flashes on the screen as LeBron’s son celebrates after swishing a jump shot. We get it, but it’s still fairly interesting to let two little boys take some of the spotlight away from the real star.
The spot is an easy watch, a relaxing tone that rubs off on the viewer. Life is good for LeBron, and even though I typically prefer product-focused ads to lifestyle ads, when the spokesman is one of the most famous people on the planet, customers may take notice. Smiles all around and credits after the jump.
CEO, Partner: John Boiler
ECD, Partner: Jason Norcross
ECD, Partner: Bryan Rowles
Creative Director/Designer: Peter Novosel
Writer: Jack Jensen
BRAND:
Managing Director, Entertainment: James Townsend
Senior Brand Manager: Andy Silva
Brand Coordinator: Lauren Cole
PRODUCTION:
Head of Film Production: Sam Baerwald
Executive Producer: Nicole Haase
Film Producer: Esther Perls
Film Coordinator: Jamie Glass
BA:
Director of Business Affairs: Christine Claussen
Business Affairs Manager: Christina Rust
Business Affairs Manager: Saeyoung Kim
Business Affairs Coordinator: Lexie Papilion
PRODUCTION CO:
Park Pictures
Director /DP: Lance Acord
EP: Mary Ann Marino & Jackie Kelman Bisbee
Producer: Caroline Kousidonis
Production Designer: Jason Hamilton
EDITORIAL:
Arcade Edit
E.P. Managing Partner: Damian Stevens
Executive Producer: Nicole Visram
Editor: Paul Martinez Assistant Editors: Carmen Hu
Producer: Leslie Carthy
POST:
Mission:
Managing Director: Michael Pardee
Creative Director: Rob Trent
Lead Flame Artist: Joey Brattesani
Flame Artist: Michael Vaglienty
Flame Artist: Jan Cilliers
Flame Artist: Katrina Salicrup
Flame Artist: Rob Winfield
Graphic Designer: Tony Meister
Graphic Designer: Aaron Benoit
VFX Producer: Ryan Meredith
VFX Producer: Stacy Kessler Aungst
VFX Coordinator: Kristina Thoegersen
Telecine:
Executive Producer: LaRue Anderson
Colorist: Gregory Reese
AUDIO MIX:
Play Studios:
Mixer: John Bolen
Executive Producer: Lauren Cascio
Assistant: Hermann Thumann