All you want for Christmas is Jon Hamm, Tom Brady, Mariah Carey and Ellie Kemper in a snappy spot hyping Fox Sports' FIFA World Cup coverage?
Well, your present arrived early—today, in fact—as the network drops its second holiday-themed ad, created by an in-house team working with freelance CD Gary Van Dzura and veteran director Wayne McClammy.
The first commercial in the series broke in July. It cast Hamm as Santa Claus, miffed that this year's soccer spectacle runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, with all 64 matches airing across Fox properties—stealing attention from his special season.
Now, however, he's adjusting his attitude, with help from perky Mrs. Claus (Kemper), self-deprecating NFL GOAT Brady (a Cristiano Ronaldo devotee, apparently), Carey (she's too busy to sing that song, dammit!) and the entire U.S. Men's National Team:
Yes, Santa-Hamm, a U.S. World Cup title would be a Christmas miracle. The odds look ... challenging. Still, special stuff happens around Yuletide, so here's hoping! (Spoiler: They won't win. On the plus side, there's a third and final Hammy-Kringle clip set to hit stockings in coming weeks. So, deck those halls!)
"The 2022 World Cup is 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," says Fox Sports president of marketing Robert 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."
Hamm's been gifting fans all year long with some superb ad performances for Apple TV+ (which McClammy also directed) and Progressive (wooing Flo). He'll also provide the lead voice in Grimsburg, an animated sitcom launching on Fox in 2023.
CREDITS
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
Hungry Man Productions
Director: Wayne McClammy
Executive Producer: Rick Jarjoura
Director of Photography: Paul Cameron
The Den Editorial (Edit)
Editor: Christjan Jordan
AE/Editor: Jake Swartz
Sr Producer: Carolina Padilla
JAMM Visual (VFX)
Executive Producer: Asher Edwards
Sr. Producer: Ashley Greyson
VFX Supervisor: Jake Montgomery
Company 3 (Color)
Colorist: Bryan Smaller
Sr. Producer: Mario Castro
Wave Studios (Audio)
Executive Producer: Vicky Ferraro
Audio Engineer: Chris Afzal
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