Heineken Star Player Taps into Fan's Love of Prediction

Soccer is my favorite sport. I've spent many Saturdays and Sundays at the pub watching soccer with my friends and strangers. And, I've definitely overheard and joined in many conversations attempting to predict the action on the field: "Oh, Gerrard is definitely going to score. There's no way he'll miss. I bet he goes for the top left corner." "How in the world did Rooney get a penalty there? I mean he didn't step on anyone's crotch this time!" So, it's not surprising that when Heineken StarPlayer by AKQA launched I would be interested.

Fans of sports love to predict what their team, their rivals, the refs, etc. will do. Through predicting behaviors and actions on the field, fans feel connected to the action, almost like they themselves are calling the shots. It opens the door to being part of something larger than oneself. It creates a community. A perfect example is the Boston Red Sox Red Sox Nation. Heineken StarPlayer taps into this existing behavior and expands it from the real-world into the digital space via mobile (iPhone only for the moment) and Facebook. It creates a game within the game.



As noted in the Creativity Online write-up, here's how the app works: "Heineken StarPlayer is a 'dual screen' soccer app that lets fans watch UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches on TV while they play the game in real-time.

The game can be played on a PC, iPhone or iPod touch and is downloaded from iTunes or played on the Heineken Facebook page. To score points, players anticipate events unfolding on the pitch live and make decisions on what will play out. When a key event occurs, the app triggers in real-time a 'Match Moment' and gamers are asked to choose from outcome options (for example, will that goal go in?). Players can compete and share scores with their friends, via Facebook, as well as other players around the world."

Yes, Football=Love in the new Puma campaign

As is fairly apparent from some earlier posts, I'm a sucker for soccer ad campaigns. I'm also a huge fan of everything done by Droga5. I still think their bike version of Guitar Hero, "Bike Hero," was one of the more brilliant pieces of alt advertising I'd seen. I'm a huge fan of the integrated campaign they created for the Unicef Tap Water Project and I still have fun playing on the Puma Lift website. So, it probably won't come as a shock that I love Droga5's latest Puma campaign, Love=Football campaign.

This year Valentine's Day falls on a soccer game day. So as part of the Love=Football campaign, Droga5 and Puma decided to help you send Valentine's Day wishes to the one you love. After all, they know where your heart will really be.


The brilliance of the campaign lies in the ridiculous, yet true to the soccer culture, idea of a bunch of tough guys singing what could be a fight song together. However, the traditional British soccer "hooligans" (there's an Italian soccer fan version as well if you want some variety) are actually singing a cheesy love song by Savage Garden to express their love. It's a perfect parody.

For those of you less familiar with the culture, here's a scene from the movie, Green Street Hooligans (a personal favorite movie), that illustrates the idea.
Definitely impressive work by Droga5 for Puma yet again

Update: For those Rugby fans out there, Droga5 and Puma have followed up the soccer "hardchorus" with a rugby theme. In honor of the Six Nations Cup, Puma introduces the Chabal bear, clearly the perfect Valentine's Day gift. After all, love also equals rugby :)

Soccer as Inspiration

Today I got an email from a friend of a friend in Washington, DC. He's working for Street Soccer USA. Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) creates grassroots soccer programs around the US to help the homeless and impoverished realize their dreams and goals. They have teams in numerous US cities, including Minneapolis. The program is an offshoot of HELP USA, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant.

In addition, SSUSA is the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup. And, it looks like I will be going to DC for the Homeless USA Cup:
"As the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup, each year SSUSA host the Homeless USA Cup, where inner city street soccer teams and social service agencies compete for the US Cup. In addition the homeless have the opportunity to be selected to represent the US National Team that represents the US at the Homeless World Cup tournament."

They have a blog with news from each team and their preparation for the Homeless USA Cup.

As a soccer fan and a person interested in human rights, this program sounds really cool! I'm looking forward to becoming involved in the organization.

A unique use of social media in advertising

The Nike soccer ad for the Spanish Euro 08 team took a really interesting approach to explain the motivation behind the team. The ad, Nike: Los 5 Magnificos, asked people around the nation to tell the heroes of their national team how to take their game to the Next Level. The Big Five of Torres, Iniesta, Ramos, Puyol and Fábregas internalize the comments through taking them directly to their bodies. Overall, its a really interesting way of incorporating people's beliefs directly into the power of a brand. The commercial was created by Barcelona-based advertising agency, Villarrosas and was directed by Erik Morales.

I love EURO 08 ads

I have to admit as a Liverpool fan and someone who is closely following the EURO 08 I really felt this ad was cool. Then again anything that ties Liverpool to EURO 08 especially since England didn't even qualify (Thanks for that, Russia) is exciting. What do you think? Is it cool or just an easy tie-in for Nike?

Client: Nike
Agency: 72andSunny
Creative Director: Glenn Cole,
Bryan Rowles
Copywriter: Jon Matthews
Producer: Juliet Pearson,
Benji Howell
Production Company: Outsider UK
Director: James Rouse
Director of Photography: David Luther
Executive Producer: Robert Campbell
Editorial Company: Marshall Street Editors
Editor: Jinx
Post Production: Glassworks
Audio Post: Factory Studios
Music Company: One More Music Company

Also, while we're at it, you might want to check this out as well: http://uk.youtube.com/23diaspt