Rory McIlroy made headlines this week by signing an endorsement deal with Nike worth a gazillion bucks (or at least $20 million a year for five years, possibly more). The 23-year-old Northern Irish golfer makes his Nike ad debut alongside Tiger Woods in this Wieden + Kennedy spot, which in its first 24 hours on YouTube amassed a gazillion views. (Actually, about 2.5 million.) Tiger and Rory compete in a fantastic driving-range competition and send balls sailing for miles to land in various cups of all shapes and sizes around town. "Just trying to keep up with the old guy," Rory teases. "Is that your real hair?" Tiger quips. Whatever. Golf sucks. The spot is amusing, reminiscent of McDonald's game of horse between Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. It's more entertaining than the unfathomably popular Turkish Airlines ad with Leo Messi and Kobe Bryant, which has been viewed—and I'm only barely exaggerating—by every human being who's ever lived on the planet. The Nike ad is awkwardly titled "No Cup Is Safe," inspiring snarky comments (quickly purged, but just as soon replaced) about bra sizes, shafts and "No hole being safe" when Tiger's around. I take back what I said before. Golf rocks! Credits below.
CREDITS
CLIENT: Nike Golf
PROJECT NAME: "No Cup Is Safe"
AGENCY
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore.
Creative Directors: Don Shelford (AD), Tyler Whisnand (CW)
Copywriter: Shaine Edwards
Art Director: Derrick Ho
Producer: Felicia Glover
Account Team: Scott Sullivan, Ken Smith
Executive Creative Directors: Susan Hoffman, Mark Fitzloff
Agency Executive Producer: Ben Grylewicz
PRODUCTION
Production Company: Hungry Man
Executive Producer: Dan Duffy
Editors: Matt Hilbur, Eric Hill
MUSIC, SOUND DESIGN
Music, Sound Company: Search Party
Song: Jungle Jump
Producer: Sara Matarazzo
MIX
Mix Company: Eleven Sound
Mixer: Jeff Payne
Producer: Caroline O'Sullivan