Nothing is more captivating than ultra-HD resolution, according to Vizio Inc.’s latest ads.
One of its 30-second TV commercials shows a family of five watching the “How to Train Your Dragon” movie on the P-Series Ultra HD Smart TV, while just few feet away a tree has broken through a wall of their house and firefighters rush to a vehicle stuck in a ditch that used to be the family’s front lawn.
In another ad for the same product, an oven is on fire, and family pets help themselves to the Thanksgiving feast while guests and the host zero in on the football game playing on the new TV.
The spots were created by David&Goliath, Vizio’s agency of record. They aired during Headline News and HLN, among other national television network programs.
The Irvine-based company has also signed on as the title sponsor of the 44th Annual Fiesta Bowl. The game will be held Dec. 31 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Fit for a King
The first installment of Kia Motors America’s “Fit for a King” marketing campaign has hit the airwaves.
The 30-second TV commercial features Cleveland Cavaliers power forward LeBron James—the Irvine-based automaker’s recently announced K900 Luxury Ambassador—walking out on the red carpet and tossing the keys to a white K900 sedan to a mesmerized valet.
“Keep it close,” James says, getting an awkward, “You got it, Mr. LeBron James.”
The TV spot was created by David&Goliath, Kia’s agency of record. Its debut coincided with the automaker’s announcement that it will continue as the Official Automotive Partner of the NBA. Kia has been an NBA sponsor since 2008 and has individual sponsorships with 14 teams.
It spent $403 million on media placements in 2013 and $235.6 million in the first half of this year, according to New York-based Kantar Media.
Marathon in 3-D
Asics America, an official sponsor of the New York City Marathon for more than 20 years, has found yet another creative way to engage runners on race day.
The Irvine-based action-sports apparel brand invited marathon participants to submit their headshots to minimarathoner.com for a chance to receive a mini statue of themselves made with a 3-D printer. Asics selected 500 runners whose miniatures “ran along” the 26.2-mile course on Nov. 2. When they crossed mile markers 8, 15 and 24, a photo of their statues in that location was posted on their Facebook pages.
An additional 50 runners, whose friends and family members tweeted the most on their behalf using the #minimarathoner hashtag, also got a mini statue.
The promotion was part of Asics’ “We Are Marathoners” marketing campaign, created by Vitro, the brand’s advertising agency of record. The media placements included ads on double-decker buses throughout the city, a display at Time Warner Center, ESPN2 broadcast buys, and a Times Square out-of-home race simulcast.
Bits & Pieces
Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Palo Alto selected Irvine-based DB&M Media Inc. as its advertising agency of record. DB&M will be responsible for developing, planning and implementing traditional, digital and social media strategy for the chain’s 150 franchised restaurant locations. … Shannon Gilbert was promoted to the role of director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. … Dennis Pettigrew has been named executive creative director of Irvine-based advertising agency INK. He replaces T.J. Bennett, who left to do consulting work. … Huntington Beach-based Grupo Gallegos hired Juan Perez and Carlos Tornell as group creative director and creative director, respectively. … Bolt Public Relations in Irvine hired two account executives: Martha Browning and Brittany Engler. The agency also promoted Jesse Page to account supervisor. … Idea Hall in Costa Mesa hired Jeff Cole as senior creative producer and Stephanie Burns as senior account executive.
