Mariners' TV Campaign To Debut Sunday On FSN Northwest

The Mariners Thursday unveiled the team's '08 TV campaign, via Copacino & Fujikado, Seattle, which features 17 players in 7 commercials. The spots will air during Sunday's Brewers-Mariners Spring Training game on FSN Northwest and will run throughout the season on local and regional broadcasts and cable channels (Mariners). In Seattle, Jon Naito reports the seven 30-second ads, which were filmed in February at the start of Spring Training in Arizona, include the following: SS Yuniesky Betancourt performing magic tricks; DH Jose Vidro revealing a secret; 3B Adrian Beltre showing off his defense; P Felix Hernandez and a hidden talent; RF Ichiro Suzuki "in a wink at his unique sartorial sense;" P J.J. Putz and C Kenji Johjima celebrating the fungo bat; and LF Raul Ibanez conducting orientation for new P's Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva. The spots also feature Mariners coaches and GM Bill Bavasi in the "familiar, humorous vein that has made the spots popular among fans since their inception in 1994.'' Washington-based Director Ron Gross led the production staff, which had "only three days to film." Mariners Dir of Marketing Gregg Greene: "We sent out an e-mail last night to the subscribers of Mariners Mail (the team's newsletter to fans) and gave them a sneak peak. Overnight, we had more than a thousand people voting for their favorites. People love them" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 3/14).