Mutt Industries Taps Danny McBride for ‘MLB 14 The Show’ Campaign

By Erik Oster 

Sony could be excused if they had decided not to bother advertising the release of MLB 14 The Show at all. The latest installation in the long-running franchise, the only baseball simulation for PS3 or PS4, has literally no competition (which is how Sony got away with releasing the PS4 version a full month into the baseball season). Instead, they tapped Portland-based boutique agency Mutt Industries, who teamed up with Eastbound and Down star Danny McBride for a integrated campaign spanning broadcast, digital and social media. At the center of the campaign is a really fun online spot starring McBride, who also stars in the broadcast version.

In the 1:45 spot, McBride tells you something you should already know: that “Baseball is Better” — better than all other sports, and better than babies. He goes on to list all the reasons baseball is the best: no crying, no flags, no clocks, etc., all while sporting a badass old school Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. McBride is inserted into the game itself (Hey Sony: You really should make Kenny Powers a playable character) allowing Mutt Industries to show MLB 14 The Show‘s shiny new graphics, which really do look great. Most fans of the franchise have been eagerly anticipating the title for months now, but “Baseball is Better” may convince a few converts that The Show is worth picking up this year.

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Broadcast spots will air on on Adult Swim, ESPN, Discovery, FX, History, MLB Network, Comedy Central and other cable stations, while digital and social media content highlights top MLB players, including Miguel Cabrera, Andrew McCutchen, Brandon Phillips, and Buster Posey. Over the course of the baseball season, Mutt Industries will release over 100 unique videos for the campaign, with each player given a unique role and character. Interestingly, Mutt Industries developed, directed and  produced the entire campaign in-house with creative director Mike McCommon doubling as the commercial director. Stick around for credits after the jump.

Credits:
MLB Athlete Content

Creative Directors: Mike McCommon, Steve Luker

Copy Writers: Mike McCommon, Jesse Donaldson, Adam Peterson
Art Director: Simon Armour
Line Producers: Alana Spears, Maureen Nelson
Production Company: Mutt Productions
Director: Mike McCommon
Editor: Morgan Griswald
Designer: Dan Peterson
Managing Director: Martin Navarrete
Anthem TV/Video
Creative Directors: Mike McCommon, Steve Luker

Copy Writers: Mike McCommon, Jesse Donaldson, Adam Peterson
Art Director: Simon Armour
Agency Producer: Chris Lawson
Director: Mike McCommon
Line Producer: Bill Fortney
Production Company: Lost Planet
Post Production: Black Hole
Editor: Max Koepke
Game Footage: San Diego Studios
Managing Director: Martin Navarrete

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