MasterCard Perpetuates Athlete-As Slave-to Coach Stereotype

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Monday is never a good day to analyze why so many commercials featuring athletes always portray said athletes as mindless idiots. Poor Vinny Testaverde, back-up quarterback for the New England Patriots is the latest to receive the jock-as-buffoon treatment. Setting aside for a moment the lunacy of a professional football player ordering food from a stadium's fast food counter while in full uniform, MasterCard, while promoting its PayPass card, felt it necessary (with advice from McCann-Erickson/New York) to capitalize on the stereotype of athlete as slave to coach.

Oh sure, it's funny but would any actual overpaid, ego-centric, self-important professional athlete ever put up with menial shit like this? Oh wait, this is a commercial. We're sorry. Of course they would. How else can a struggling creative make themselves feel superior if they don't chastise everyone they can through their work? And after all, Vinny's second string. He needs the money.

by Steve Hall    Jan-22-07   Click to Comment   
Topic: Brands, Commercials   

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Comments



Comments

Vinny's actually the third string, but I guess that's not really the point.

Posted by: Cheryl on January 22, 2007 10:04 AM

I think watching Vinny make food runs for the coach is hilarious no matter how improbable it is. As a long-time Vinny fan, I think it's pretty cool that he's's a humble enough guy to poke some fun at himself. He's obviously got a better sense of humor than your standard washed up blogger that never made it in advertising.

Posted by: Matt on January 27, 2007 4:22 PM