Strongbow challenges 'normal' guy to score like a pro

Last night, during the England v Germany match (where we disappointingly lost 0-1), one regular guy stepped up to a challenge. Not during the match, but in the half time ad break in our latest Strongbow challenge.

The Football Challenge is specifically aimed at getting those guys who always claim they could have scored that missed penalty to step up and prove it. Whether it's your mate, brother, boyfriend, husband, or dad - we all know a bloke who likes to shout at the TV and think they could do better. Our guy, Jared Aransibia, was chosen from thousands of applicants, to prepare for a once in a lifetime opportunity of scoring a penalty 'for England' against our fiercest football rivals Germany.

Jared was mentored by legendary former England player and Coach Stuart Pearce and he underwent two days of intense training which saw his stamina levels pushed to the limit by fitness coach and former Olympic sprinter Ade Mafe. This was topped off with a session by leading sports psychologist Dan Abrahams who helped mentally prepare Jared for his 12 yard challenge. He faced Hamburg’s German international goalkeeper Rene ‘Iron Man’ Adler on his home turf in the epic surroundings of the Berlin Olympic stadium.

                           

Sam Fielding, Strongbow Marketing Manager comments "This week’s game between Germany and England was the perfect opportunity for us to introduce Jared's challenge to football fans across the country. Jared stepped up to a once in a lifetime opportunity alongside Coach Stuart Pearce that provided us with some fantastic and engaging content people will love to watch.”

Stuart Pearce said: "We all watch a game from the comfort of our sofa and think we can do better, take that corner or score that penalty. We can all talk a good game but there aren’t many times you get the opportunity to 'walk the walk'. Jared was armed with all the physical and mental tools to score the penalty but the rest was up to him.”

The trailer as aired can be viewed from the image above, and full content following Jared’s journey along with the result of the penalty is live on strongbow.com/football now.

So, what are you waiting for?

Moments of Truth - New Strongbow Work!

Last night, after the England V Brazil match, was the grand debut of our latest Strongbow advert. The 60s spot is entitled 'Moments of Truth' and encounters blokes in a variety of nerve-wracking situations, showing how fear distorts their reality in each of the scenarios. However, they all triumph, smashing it as they step up and face their fears! From the best man's speech, to the nail-biting penalty shoot out, these characters embody the Strongbow brand which rewards the man who gets the job done.

Beautifully directed by Sam Brown, with the undeniably epic O Fortuna (Carmina Burana) as its soundtrack, the tension is palpable throughout the spot, yet exaggerated facial expressions and comedy moments provide some relief - keeping the suspense but making the ad more entertaining!

This spot is the spearhead of the 2013 'Earn It' campaign which involves a range of Strongbow challenges that men can apply to participate in - if they think they're up to it! The first challenge is looking for fellas to step up to take a ball from top cricket fast bowler Jimmy Anderson.

The ad has received coverage in Campaign magazine and Brand Republic amongst others, but the most overwhelming thing was the amount of Tweets registered after the spot went out. We briefly trended worldwide, and were 8th in the UK! Tweeters really got involved and loved the ad - some even calling it their ad of the year so far. We're all very proud of it, and I for one feel it was definitely worth sitting through a pretty dull football match to see!

If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? Click the image below, and let us know what you think!