ESPN is a company that is known to have amazing commercials. They normally take athletes and mascots and put them inside the offices of Bristol, Connecticut, headquarters of ESPN. The results have been fantastic. No matter what sport you follow, or what team you root for, ESPN ads make you laugh. My personal favorite, being a diehard Phillies fan, is the Phantaic’s ESPN ad, which features Derek Jeter. Great example of advertising. However not what we’re here to talk about.

We’re here to talk about one of the most recent additions to the ESPN ad campaign, The Cowboy.

ESPN – The Cowboy

This commercial is for the ESPN I-Phone/I-Pad app and it works extremely well. The ad features a Cowboy alone out in the wilderness yearning for some sports action. Well guess what, he’s armed to the teeth with multiple phones streaming multiple games. He’s always connected so he doesn’t worry about where his Cattle Drive takes him. The only problem he has is deciding what to put on the “Big Boy”. Don’t worry he finds a solution for that too.

Why ESPN’s “Cowboy” Works?

Imagine you’re hanging out with a group of guys at a bar. You’re watching a game, having the normal bar conversation, this ad comes on. It would stop you on a dime right? You’d pay attention. Hell, maybe it even spawns a conversation as to what ESPN programming you’d put on the “Big Boy”. For me it would be all about Around the Horn, great show and I love me some Woody Paige. This ad has the watercooler buzz that most ESPN commercials have and then some.

It’s also quotable, which I find is a great way to have a consumer remember your product and share that product via word of mouth. “There are only two things I love more than herding cattle and that’s beans and sports.” It’s a great line that I could see myself using or at least paraphrasing on a night out, or hanging in with the boys.  ESPN played to their predominantly male audience with this one.

Also remember that this ad is selling a product, their “Watch ESPN” app. It hits on every feature you want on a mobile app. Portability, what’s more portable then riding in the desert? Screen images, they looked clear and made no mention of being simulated. Most importantly, at least to this writer, the option to stream what I want. That’s an award winning application in my book.

What Could be Next for ESPN?

ESPN will continue to put out amazing commercials, this I’m sure of. They will continuing partnering their veteran broadcasters with dominant athletes and mascots. It isn’t like the company is reliant on these advertisements, every sports fans knows the ESPN brand by heart.

Make sure you’re following us at Social Medianaires, for all your Social Media needs, and make sure to check out the newest ESPN commercial, this one focuses in on Joey Votto, Karl Ravech from Baseball Tonight and the Cincinnati Reds. Pretty funny stuff ESPN, enjoy.

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