EA kicks off their marketing campaign with a four minute ad

EA Sports kicked off a huge marketing campaign for their new FIFA 09 video game with a four minute ad on Sky Sports 1. This played out during the half time interval of a premiership clash of the Titans, Manchester United versus Chelsea. It was the only ad in the break and a great fit with this appointment to view programme for footie fans. Moreover, to give the ad an event feel, there was only one opportunity to view it on air.

In the ad some real-life players put their virtual footie skills to the test. EA brings in Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuaín to see who has the quickest fingers in the game.

You can watch the full four minute ad above.

EA kicks off their marketing campaign with a four minute ad

Taking the whole ad break can be an attractive proposition for an advertiser, particularly where there is real congruence between compelling ad and programme content. Here’s a great example from EA sports.