For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup will take place during the holiday season providing fans across America with the opportunity to watch the beautiful game on FOX Sports throughout November and December.
The campaign picks up following this summer’s buzzworthy premiere, which saw Emmy Award-winning actor Jon Hamm, executive producer and star of FOX’s upcoming animated comedy series “Grimsburg,” appearing as Santa Claus on vacation and discovering the news of the FIFA World Cup taking place during the holiday season.
In this new installment, directed by Hungry Man’s Wayne McClammy – someone who is familiar with Jon Hamm – we head to the North Pole where Emmy-nominated actress Ellie Kemper (Kimmy Schmidt) stars as Mrs. Claus. Seven-time NFL Super Bowl Champion, Tom Brady, and multi-Grammy winning artist and the “Queen of Christmas,” Mariah Carey, join the jolly duo, making can’t-miss cameos as their legendary selves. Finally, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) takes a seat at the holiday dinner table as teammates Christian Pulisic, Walker Zimmerman, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Jesús Ferreira, and Yunus Musah join in on the fun.
In the new spot, “Superfan Santa” opens on Santa Claus in the North Pole, sitting behind his desk staring at a wall of TVs showing international soccer highlights.
Frustrated with the change of focus around the holidays, Mrs. Claus lifts his spirits, suggesting a crowd of U.S. fans chanting in the stands are, in a way, caroling. Santa’s heart grows three times bigger as he realizes how amazing the FIFA World Cup is and the platform it provides for him to spread holiday cheer.
He imagines scenarios of people watching the matches as he rattles off ideas to his elves: Brady in his kitchen commenting on Cristiano Ronaldo’s play, Carey with her glam squad being far too busy given the time of year, and the USMNT passing dishes at an elaborate Thanksgiving feast. Santa realizes that the U.S. winning it all would be the best gift American fans can receive and he pictures himself leading a celebratory march down the streets of New York City.
At last, Santa accepts sharing the holiday season with the highly celebrated FIFA World Cup tournament is the gift that keeps on giving. Watch below:
REELated:
Robert Gottlieb, President, Marketing, FOX Sports, shared his excitement in seeing the campaign concept come to life: “The 2022 World Cup is completely historic and unique because it’s the first time the tournament will take place during the holiday season, and our creative campaign featuring some of today’s biggest stars is focused on letting people know just how special this moment will be,” said Gottlieb. “Combining the greatest sporting event in the world with the most fun and festive time of the year is a supersize gift for fans.”
Added Hamm, “Working with FOX Sports to help set the stage for this historic winter World Cup has been a blast. Like Santa, I am also a huge World Cup fan, and I can’t wait to see the U.S. team take on the world in November. I believe!”
And finally, Brady chimed, “I’m a huge fan of all these athletes, and seeing them perform is really special. It was great to be a part of FOX Sports’ ad campaign. So, when the games get going, I’ll be watching the world’s best compete at the highest level in the World Cup.”
From Monday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 18, FOX Sports will present all 64 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches live across FOX and FS1 with every match live streaming on the FOX Sports app. In addition, every FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match will be available on-demand for free on Tubi in the U.S.
CREDITS:
CLIENT: Fox Sports
- PRESIDENT, MARKETING: Robert Gottlieb
- SVP, ON-AIR PROMOTIONS: Bill Battin
- LEAD CREATIVE: Gary Van Dzura
- VP, CREATIVE: Blake Danforth
- VP, PRODUCTION CLAUDINA MERCADO
- VP, PRODUCTION: Keith Hritz
- SR. CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Steve Lewis
- DIRECTOR, ON-AIR PROMOTIONS: Meghan de Andrade
- PRODUCER: Rebecca Wilmer
- PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Lauren Schwartzer
- FLAME ARTIST: Kevin Prendiville
PRODUCTION COMPANY: HUNGRY MAN PRODUCTIONS
- DIRECTOR: Wayne McClammy
- EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Rick Jarjoura
- DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul Cameron
EDIT: THE DEN EDITORIAL
- EDITOR: Christjan Jordan
- AE/EDITOR: Jake Swartz
- SR PRODUCER: Carolina Padilla
VFX: JAMM VISUAL
- EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Asher Edwards
- SR. PRODUCER: Ashley Greyson
- VFX SUPERVISOR: Jake Montgomery
COLOR: COMPANY 3
- COLORIST: Bryan Smaller
- SR. PRODUCER: Mario Castro
AUDIO: WAVE STUDIOS
- EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Vicky Ferraro
- AUDIO ENGINEER: Chris Afzal
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