Where’s the ball park? That’s one question that comes to mind after viewing Y&R New York’s patriotic spot for Ball Park’s new premium hot dog, Park’s Finest, the latest iteration of the “So American You Can Taste It” campaign. The other being: “Hey guys, are you sure you want to celebrate the invention of the cotton gin? It did kind of lead to the expansion of slavery in the Antebellum South.”
The goofy, 30-second spot, called “Greatest Invention Ever,” sees a man holding an eagle positing that Ball Park’s Park’s Finest are America’s greatest invention, much to the chagrin of Eli Whitney and Benjamin Franklin. Its ridiculous brand of humor seems somewhat studied, and mostly fails to hit the mark. The spot ends with a group of guys grilling up the new premium dogs, and, in a nice touch, the smoke forms a map of the United States. That there isn’t a ball park at any point in the spot feels like a miss though, as it’s a clear association with the brand. (And, hey, ties right in with the whole “greatest American invention” thing.)
The new Park’s Finest ads will air across broadcast and cable networks, as well as on Pandora radio, beginning this week. The larger “So American You Can Taste It” campaign also includes digital, social, shopper marketing and PR elements. Stick around for credits after the jump.
Y&R New York Creative Credits
Jim Elliott, Chief Creative Officer
James Caporimo, Executive Creative Director
Robert Rooney, Creative Director
Richard Goldstein, Creative Director
Craig Sklaver, Content Producer
Letitia Jacobs, Executive Director of Content Production