Names & Faces: Pacioretty Passes Out Burgers To Bruins Fans For McDonald's Ad
In Boston, Andrew Mahoney notes Canadiens LW Max Pacioretty -- who has a hamburger named after him in Quebec-area McDonald's locations -- "flew to Boston, and, with a film crew, stood outside a restaurant where customers were watching a Bruins game and handed out burgers" as part of the QSR's "Max 67" advertising campaign. The sight of Bruins fans "praising the burger and exclaiming 'Max 67 is awesome' and 'Max is unbeatable' to Pacioretty is quite humorous." The moment they "realize they’re talking to the alternate captain of the Canadiens is even funnier" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/26). NESN.com’s Mike Cole wrote of the Pacioretty spot, “Maybe it’s real. Maybe it’s not. Either way, tip of the cap to McDonald’s and their marketing folks for a pretty creative commercial” (NESN.com, 3/24). YAHOO SPORTS’ Josh Cooper wrote, “What is it about McDonald’s hamburgers and NHL teams in Canada these days? You have Andrew ‘Hamburglar’ Hammond and all the free giveaways for gluttony by the Ottawa Senators. And now this video of Max Pacioretty trolling Bruins fans with his own McDonald’s burger” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/23).
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU, AND YOU? In Pittsburgh, Brian Bowling reported Pennsylvania-based nutrition company Exclusive Supplements claims in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday that Steelers WR Antonio Brown "signed an endorsement agreement with it Nov. 8 that prohibits him from endorsing a competitor's products." The lawsuit said that Oregon-based Glukos Company "announced Monday that Brown was on 'Team Glukos'" and it claims that Glukos and Brown's agent, Rosenhaus Sports Representation, "conspired to violate the non-compete contract." Attorney Michael Hughes said that the company "isn't suing Brown because it doesn't think he intentionally violated the contract" (TRIBLIVE.com, 3/24).
A FOAM BALANCE: In Tampa, Marc Topkin noted Rays 3B Evan Longoria is "featured in a national ad campaign for New Balance's new Fresh Foam Zante shoe line, appearing with track standout Emma Coburn and ESPN SportsCenter/radio host Scott Van Pelt." The campaign "includes print ads in ESPN The Magazine and a prominently placed video on ESPN.com" (TAMPABAY.com, 3/25).
IS IT IN YOUR BOTTLE? USA TODAY’s Jeff Gluck reported Gatorade this spring is launching its "Sweat with the Best" promotion in which participants can “win a contest to train" with NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson's pit crew and "take laps with the driver at Darlington Raceway.” Johnson said, “I know a lot of people want to question the athleticism required in our sport, but I think it'll open eyes if the person is not in the belief of drivers being athletes.” Gatorade is also “offering a similar experience” with fellow NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth. Other athletes “participating in the contest” include Broncos QB Peyton Manning, tennis player Serena Williams, Heat G Dwyane Wade and Nationals LF Bryce Harper (USATODAY.com, 3/25).
YOU GET A LITTLE TIMID WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY: WWE wrestler Roman Reigns in a video on Snickers' YouTube page expressed uncertainty about his upcoming WrestleMania 31 match on Sunday against Brock Lesnar, sharing his hunger alter-ego in support of the brand's '15 "Who Are You?" contest. The promo lets fans share who they are when they are hungry for a chance to win $50,000 and "take over" the YouTube page for a day (Mars).
