Three breaking TV commercials and a Facebook auction aim to build awareness and solicit contributions for the philanthropic Chauncey Billups Elite Basketball Academy, Aurora, Colo. The campaign, titled “If you call right now…,” is the first work by advertising agency TDA_Boulder, Boulder, Colo., for its new client.
To open each of the three :30s, the L.A. Clippers’ Billups states, “I’m hoping you will support my non-profit organization, Billups Elite, which helps shape young men’s lives by playing competitive basketball.” An unnamed cohort (he is Billups Elite CEO Ronnie DeGray) continues, “If you call right now…,” then spells out each commercial’s can’t-miss offer.
For this “Best Work” entry, the offer is that Billups will bake you a cake for a $75,000 donation. (For gluten-free, you’ll need to add another $10,000 to your donation).
Both Billups and DeGray then look at a silent phone. While the offer is real, lesser donations, by phone or online, are also welcome.
TDA_Boulder creative director Jonathan Schoenberg states, “There is something odd, and potentially funny, about a man who makes $13 million a year asking you for money. We thought that instead of a sob story about kids who deserve help, it would be more interesting to play off the perception that pro athletes are a bit out of touch with what things cost.”
A companion social campaign, titled “Garage Sale,” starts from Billups’ Facebook page, facebook.com/chaunceybillups , which contains links to eBay bidding on weekly for sale items, like his autographed practice jersey and shorts, or his custom Adidas sneakers.
Creative credits go to creative director/copywriter Schoenberg and creative director Thomas Dooley, and art director Austin O’Connor. The director is Sam Miller of production company Rehab, Denver and San Francisco.
Actor Steve Guttenberg Returns To L.A. Neighborhood Now Charred By Devastating Wildfire
Steve Guttenberg awoke Thursday morning to a grim reality: The treacherous wildfire that tore through the Pacific Palisades had left his once-lush neighborhood charred and unrecognizable.
With homes smoldered, streets emptied and friends scattered by evacuation orders, Guttenberg counted himself among the fortunate. His property was miraculously spared. But the actor-producer still struggled to reconcile his relief with the haunting sight of his ravaged, once lavish community.
"Just this morning, I woke up and I was really conscious of my mental state and my mental health, because the last three days, I've seen so much tragedy," said Guttenberg, pacing through the ruins of his neighborhood. He said his home has electricity but no running water.
Guttenberg thanked God that his block was safe, but he said about 20 homes were burned "pretty bad" in his 80-home community after wind-whipped fires tore across Los Angeles, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled as the fires burned uncontained Wednesday. He said the fires are the worst he's ever seen in his 66-years.
The wildfires have burned the homes of several celebrities including Billy Crystal, Carey Elwes and Paris Hilton.
Guttenberg said he never expected all of this to happen.
"It's like when someone dies suddenly," he said. "It's like when someone gets hit by a car. You never expect that to happen. That's how shocking it was."
During Guttenberg's stroll, it was an eerie scene with scorched palm trees, homes reduced to ash and rubble, and the daytime skies casted an ominous twilight over the devastation.
"I've seen people scared, people in wheelchairs, mothers and fathers trying to find their kids, people having anxiety and panic... Read More