With this weekend’s AFL Grand Final signaling the impending arrival of 2010/11 cricket season, it’s a good time to start preparing mentally for the latest round of ads featuring our Aussie stars.
With Andrew Symonds enjoying an extended visit to the pub these days, there is a sad lack of personality among the current side.
With captain Punter and captain-in-waiting Clarke leading the charge, fans can expect to see players flogging wares with the enthusiasm of a race-caller on ecstasy. Let’s look at some of the more memorable cricket ads of recent years:
Ricky Ponting and John ‘Yoda’ Laws
I often wonder who came up with this pairing. Was it pitched as part of a dare? Were the advertising team drinking Valvoline in a meeting when they suddenly thought ‘Ricky Ponting and John Laws? Win!’?
These questions aside, was pitching a Star Wars reference at beer swilling audience of cricket fans the best move? Time (and sales figures) will tell, but in the meantime, I have no doubt there is some form of Valvoline signage mounted prominently in the extension on Ricky’s house.
Okay, not exactly an ad, but who doesn’t enjoy watching Clarke look like a goose? I found this much more enjoyable than seeing him plug razors, deodorant, adult nappies or whatever else he’ll no doubt be pitching again this summer.
Like Nostradamus before them, it seems KFC have an eerie knack of predicting the future. Mitchell Johnson? Who cares? Give us fried chicken! Seems to tie in nicely with Mitch’s form since he actually performed well in one Test at the WACA a few years ago.
I considered including our golden boy pitching Weet Bix or perhaps cavorting with a Bollywood actress here, but like Michael Clarke earlier, this memory made me smile more than any of Brett’s efforts in the advertising world.
With the Aussies likely to be schooled by India (again) in the upcoming series, I discovered that India can teach our advertising industry a thing or two on how to use cricketers to flog your products.
This little gem rates considerably higher on the ‘unintentionally amusing’ index than anything KFC, VB or Warney will reel out this summer.
Geordie
Guest
My favourite one from 84. As kids we were mesmerized by how those great Windies and Pakistan players were presented as almost god-like......which for the aussie team at the time I guess they kind of were. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiihZCcYe5M
JohnB
Guest
The VB ads in the last Ashes series I thought very clever - with some of them even on the 50th viewing there was a little something you hadn't seen before. And the opening line of the C'mon Aussie C'mon song ("Lillee's pounding down like a machine") - great stuff.
Jiggles
Guest
The new VB add is as funny as all hell! It’s bound to get a bit of air-time throughout the ashes. If you haven’t seen it I suggest you track it down on Youtube/VB website, its classic!
TomC
Guest
Who could ever forget C'mon Aussie C'mon? Every kid in the playground was singing that song when I was eight years old.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
By straight one, are we talking about the one that continues in a straight line about a foot outside off? Seems to be his stock ball of late...
Brett McKay
Guest
he's always had the straight one, it's the swinging one he loses from time to time..
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I guess Mitch just needs to learn how to bowl a straight one now! :)
Brett McKay
Guest
actually Daniel, the way Pietersen plays around a straight one in the ad, it's COMPLETELY indicative of current form!! :lol:
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'm with you, Brett. That's a great ad, although the ending is a little far fetched, with the assumption Mitch would bowl someone in current form :)
Brett McKay
Guest
I actually really like this year's Ashes ad, the way they've spliced togther the footage of Ponting, Bradman, Lillee, et al, in the field, with Pietersen and Botham batting. Really clever.. http://www.cricket.com.au/
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Without doubt the "how do you feel" Tooheys Draught ads from the early eighties featuring Dennis Lillee and Mike Whitney. Rolled gold there my friend, rolled gold. They don't make 'em like that any more.