TV commercials have plagued our viewing enjoyment since the invention of television. An ad expert once said “as long as there’s a jingle humming in your head, watching TV is not free.” Because there are so many TV commercials, your spot better stand out. Advertising agencies have a go to set of gimmicks to make their commercials stand out. Among the tried and true elements for successful TV commercials are sex, cute kids or animals, and in the case of ESPN, comedy.

ESPN has been using comedy to promote its flagships show Sports Center for years. These TV commercials have used legendary sports stars like LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dwight Howard. In many cases, they use college team and professional mascots, which I find funnier than using pro athletes.

This is SportsCenter is the name of a series of TV commercials. These ads are presented in mockumentary style, making fun of sports and sports broadcasting. The commercials have been around sine the mid 90’s. Legendary advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy gets credit for creating the spots.

In the latest commercial, they mock the retirement of Mariano Rivera. Well not him so much as the fact that Metallica’s Enter Sandman is no longer being used. Enter Sandman was Rivera’s signature song.  The spot focuses on Metallica, which are now trying to sell their songs to other athletes. In the end, they are unsuccessful and bored. So bored that guitarist Kirk Hammett sits in the ESPN breakroom basically giving away free guitar lessons.

It’s great to see an advertiser willing to make fun of itself and the subject it covers. It’s even greater to see an advertising agency that’s creating such entertaining TV commercials. Rock on ESPN and rock on Wieden+Kennedy.

If you would like to have an edgy, funny and successful TV commercial, give us a call.