Woodford Reserve's Latest Ad Depicts An Empty Churchill Downs

Woodford Reserve is "making use of the unusual solitude in a new ad that includes a stirring rendition of 'My Old Kentucky Home' played at the empty" Churchill Downs racetrack, according to E.J. Schultz of AD AGE. The ad from Energy BBDO, Chicago, will run on Saturday during NBC’s re-airing of the '15 Kentucky Derby, which "marked the start of American Pharoah’s run to the Triple Crown." The whiskey brand's ad features Kentucky cellist Ben Sollee "playing a solo of 'My Old Kentucky Home' in the Derby winner’s circle against scenes of an empty Churchill Downs." The spot "ends on a hopeful note, with the copy 'here’s to running again in September.'" Woodford Reserve, a presenting sponsor of the Derby, is "participating in what Churchill Downs is billing as a virtual 'at-home celebration' on Saturday." Events including virtual tours of the Derby Museum "will be streamed on the Derby’s social media channels" (ADAGE.com, 4/29).