In celebration of Gatorade's 50th anniversary, the company is relaunching one of its most successful advertising campaigns, Michael Jordan's 'Be Like Mike' television commercial. The 1991 commercial -- dubbed for its catchy jingle -- has been remastered and aired for the first time during this year's NBA all- star weekend.
The original commercial aired shorty after Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls team won the first of their six NBA Championships. At the time, Jordan was an idol to many people and they would have loved to be able to emulate his abilities on the court. When describing the motivation behind the iconic jingle, Bernie Pitzel, the man who wrote it, simply says "I knew a million people wanted to be like Mike." The jingle was widely adored; Radio stations even wanted to play the the music on their stations. Gatorade made the single available and sold 100,000 copies at $4.95 each.
Retro Sports Drink Ads
This 23-Year-Old Gatorade Ad with Michael Jordan is Remade & Revived
Trend Themes
1. Nostalgic Advertising - The revival of retro sports drink ads, such as Gatorade's 'Be Like Mike' campaign, taps into consumer nostalgia and creates a sense of familiarity and authenticity.
2. Remastered Classic Commercials - The trend of remastering and re-airing classic commercials, like Gatorade's revised version of the Michael Jordan ad, allows brands to leverage their successful past campaigns and capitalize on their iconic status.
3. Music as Brand Asset - The use of catchy jingles, like the original 'Be Like Mike' song, highlights the power of music in advertising as a means to create memorable and long-lasting brand associations.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Drinks - The revival of retro sports drink ads presents an opportunity for brands in the sports beverage industry to leverage nostalgia and capture the attention of consumers seeking a taste of the past.
2. Advertising Agencies - The trend of remastering classic commercials opens new avenues for advertising agencies to collaborate with brands in revitalizing their successful campaigns to resonate with modern audiences.
3. Music Production - The resurgence of iconic jingles in advertising showcases the demand for skilled music producers to create impactful brand sounds that evoke emotions and foster brand loyalty.