Vitaminwater’s ‘Sorta-Fit Spokesguy’ Is Representing Those of Us Who Begrudgingly Work Out

For the national launch of vitaminwater active, which was released regionally last year, the Coca-Cola brand wanted to let audiences know the sports drink is not just for fitness fanatics. The brand turned to Los Angeles independent agency Zambezi for a personification of its positioning as “a sports drink for the rest of us.”

Zambezi’s campaign centers around a 30-second spot starring a “sorta-fit spokesguy” working out at the gym but, you know, not taking it too seriously.

So what does “sorta-fit” mean?

Well, he works out, but you won’t find him taking his shirt off anytime soon. And while he may lift weights, he doesn’t check himself out in the mirror while doing so.

The spot’s most relatable line may be its kicker, in which he admits he just skips the gym altogether when it’s tough to find a parking spot.

“Our sorta-fit guy shows people they can exercise at a pace that works for them without taking themselves or their workouts too seriously,” Zambezi associate creative director, copywriter Tal Wagman said in a statement. “Vitaminwater active is the sports drink for the rest of us. Or said another way, it’s for anyone who wants to comfortably dip his or her toe into the fitness pool. And of course, the pool is filled with vitaminwater active.”

In addition to the spot, which is the first of a series with more to follow later in the year, the campaign also includes point-of-sale elements, OOH ads around gyms, parks, hiking and running paths in major cities and experiential marketing targeting gym-goers in high-traffic fitness locations.

“The sports drink category has traditionally focused on athletes at the top of their game, those we’re ‘supposed’ to aspire to be,” The Coca-Cola Company senior IMC manager Alex Ames said in a statement. “Vitaminwater active is the sports drink for those of us working to improve our fitness level without taking it to a level of obsession.”

CREDITS
Client: vitaminwater
Sr. Manager, Integrated Marketing: Alexander Ames
Sr. Producer, Integrated Marketing: Rebecca Smith

Agency: Zambezi
Founder, Chief Executive Officer: Jean Freeman
Chief Creative Officer: Gavin Lester
Creative Director: Kevin Buth
Associate Creative Directors: Tal Wagman, Annie Johnston
Associate Creative Directors: DJ Bowser, Cody Witt, Ryan Montanti
Head of Content: Alex Cohn
Sr. Producer: Jordan Sider
Executive Director of Technology: Justice Erolin
Sr. Digital Producer: Sean Carnage
Managing Director: Pete Brown
Group Account Director: Gordon Gray
Account Supervisor: Michael Seide
Chief Strategy Officer: Kristina Jenkins
Strategy Director: Tamsin McDonnell

Production Company: Hungry Man
Director: Hank Perlman
Director of Photography: Adam Beckman
Executive Producer: Kevin Byrne
Line Producer: Tristan Marciano

Editorial: Fin Studios
Editor: Chris Poole, Ling Ly
Assistant Editors: Dustin Mulstay
Executive Producer: Alex Cohn
Sr. Producer: Jordan Sider

Audio: Fin Studios
Mixer: Mark Scearce

Color Correction: Fin Studios
Colorist: Ian Gibson

VFX: Fin Studios
VFX Artist: Ling Ly
Graphics: Micah Levin

Music Supervision: Wolf at the Door