George Clooney has starred in Nespresso ads in Europe and other international markets since 2006. (We've covered a lot of those campaigns, which have often paired the Oscar winner with other actors, like John Malkovich and Matt Damon.) But now, finally, Clooney is becoming the brand's ambassador in the U.S., too, and he kicks things off with a spot from McCann New York co-starring his good buddy Danny DeVito.
Clooney and DeVito are better known for drinking limoncellos together, but perhaps they rely on coffee to revive themselves after one of their epic nights out. In any case, they make an amusing pair of friends, and their new commercial is theatrical and goofy—in that charming, lowbrow-yet-sophisticated Nespresso way.
The actors meet in a movie studio commissary, with Clooney wearing a war general costume and DeVito dressed as Napoleon. Soon enough, DeVito sees that his choice of coffee is as old as his character, and he convinces Clooney to train him in the art of good taste.
"Experience a cup above" is the tagline. The spot will run on TV in 30- and 60-second versions. (The :90 above is an extended cut.)
Clooney, well known as an activist beyond his Hollywood work, has partnered with the Swiss brand for so long partly because of its social responsibility work. He even serves on the Nespresso Sustainability Advisory Board, aimed at improving the lives and futures of coffee farmers.
"I've been working with Nespresso internationally for nine years, and I really love and respect the brand, what they do, and how they do it," he said in a statement. "Nespresso and I have a shared commitment to sustainability, most recently helping to rebuild coffee farms in South Sudan. They are an incredibly responsible company, and I am excited to expand my partnership with them into the U.S."
Clooney discusses his partnership with Nespresso in the video below. Learn more about the campaign, which will also include print, digital and social ads, at acupabove.com.
Separately, below is McCann London's new Nespresso ad, starring Clooney and Jack Black. Below that, see the credits for McCann New York's "Training Day" campaign.
CREDITS
Client: Nespresso
President: Guillaume Le Cunff
Vice President of Marketing: Davide Moro
Marketing Director: Justin DeGeorge
International Brand Communications Manager: Anna Lundstrom
Manager, Marketing Communications: Allison Moore
Brand Manager: Laura Hagege
Spot: "Training Day"
Agency: McCann, New York
North American Chief Creative Officer: Eric Silver
Chief Creative Officers, New York: Tom Murphy, Sean Bryan
Executive Creative Directors: Larry Platt, Lea Ladera
Creative Directors (Art Directors): Chuck Tso, Carlos Wigle
Creative Directors (Copywriters): Adam Kanzer, Scott Cooney
Chief Production Officer: Nathy Aviram
Broadcast Affairs: Danielle Korn, Su‐Mei Luk
Executive Producer: Kathy Love
Senior Integrated Producer: Wendy Leahy
Music Producers: Eric Johnson, Michael Ladman
Account Management: Dana McCullough, Sarah Louie, Athena Grammas
Strategy: Steve Zaroff, Christine Villanueva
Business Affairs: Erin Levine
Talent Coordinator: Terry Marcello
Traffic: Elly Schribman
Network Clearance: Sarah Malloy
Print, Banner Production: Sharon McKenzie, Mary Anguili, Ralph Cirillo, Teresa Tarquini, Thomas Walsh
"Training Day" Spot:
Production Company: Untitled
Director: Grant Heslov
Director of Photography: Phedon Papamichael
Editing Company: Big Sky
Editor: Chris Franklin
Effects, Finishing: Big Sky
Lead Artist: Ryan Sears
Transfer: Chris Ryan, Nice Shoes
Music Company: NA / Isley Brothers "Fight the Power"
Mix Studio: Sound Lounge
Engineer: Peter Holcomb
Web Films:
Production Company: Beware Doll
Director: Sam Jones
Print, Banner Imagery:
Photographer: Sam Jones