BMO kicks-off partnership with international soccer star Alphonso Davies with a new campaign to grow the game together
BMO is featuring one of the world’s biggest stars in a new campaign
BMO Financial Group, the bank of soccer, is celebrating Canada’s continued emergence in the world’s most popular sport with a new campaign featuring one of the country’s global superstars.
Developed by FCB Canada, the “#BMOGrowTheGame” campaign is built around seven spots featuring the BMO banker (played for the past three years by New Girl actor Lamorne Morris) alongside Canada men’s national team member and FC Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies—who recently inked a five-year deal as a BMO soccer ambassador.
The production took place in Davies’ hometown of Edmonton, Alberta at a local pitch where he used to play. Following the shoot, BMO hosted a practice clinic for local youth players and surprised them with Davies as their coach.
“Being a part of this campaign was a great start to my partnership with BMO, and getting to surprise the kids at the clinic in my hometown was even better,” says Davies. “I am excited for what’s to come.”
The campaign is intended to showcase BMO’s continued commitment to soccer at both the grassroots and professional level. BMO was the first major bank to heavily invest in soccer sponsorship in Canada and has been doing so, at all levels. Since 2005 BMO has committed more than $25 million to growing the game.
“BMO’s partnership with Alphonso Davies reflects our mutual commitment to growing the game of soccer in Canada and inspiring the next generation of youth,” said Catherine Roche, Chief Marketing Officer, BMO Financial Group. “Our campaign reflects our passion as the bank of soccer.”
BMO sponsors more than 70 clubs representing 920 teams and approximately 13,000 youth players every year across Canada. These sponsorships, of various club academies, have led to the development of athletes who are thriving in the game at various professional levels.
Starting in September, the campaign will run in paid media including MLS and World Cup broadcast, YouTube and Twitch. Each video features the BMO banker and Davies demonstrating their respective skills: banking and soccer. In addition to the :15 ads, there are 15-20 pieces of content from the BMO youth clinic developed for social channels including Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
“Combining the world of finance with the world of football is naturally funny but what makes this campaign shine is the chemistry between Alphonso and BMO,” said Jeremiah McNama, Executive Creative Director at FCB. “The end result is smart and playful, while demonstrating BMO’s dedication to the game.”
The campaign comes as Canadian soccer is enjoying a moment on the world stage.
About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider – the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $1.04 trillion as of April 30, 2022, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.
Credits
Client: BMO
Chief Marketing Officer & Head, Social Impact: Catherine Roche
VP North American Brand & Social Media: Jennifer Carli
Director, Brand Advertising: Shelley Johnsen
Senior Manager, Brand Advertising: Kaleigh MacMaster
Marketing Manager, Brand Advertising: Kayla Malcolm-Brown
Creative Agency: FCB Canada
Chief Creative Officer: Nancy Crimi-Lamanna
Executive Creative Director: Andrew MacPhee & Jeremiah McNama
Associate Creative Director: Josh Haupert & Laura Kim
Broadcast Producer: Anne Marie Martignago
EVP, General Manager: Tracy Little
VP, Client Service Lead: Erin Howes
Account Director: Ali Gayowski
Chief Strategy Officer: Shelley Brown
Strategy Director: Stephanie Gyles
Production Company: Steam Films
Director: Benji Weinstein
Director of Photography: Dylan MacLeod
Executive Producer: Krista Marshall
Line Producer: Andrew Graham
Post Production House: Alter Ego
Post Producer: Mariya Guzova
Colourists: Wade Odlum
VFX Artist: Joel Osis
Editorial: Saints
Producer: Emily McKAy
Editor: Aaron Dark
Assistant: Paul Dzioba
Music: OSO
Music Director: Daenen Bramberger
Producer: Lauren Dobbie
Media Agency: UM
EVP Client Business Partner: Kate Mateer
VP Client Business Partner: Ryan Hunter
Director, Connection Planning: Fahmida Islam
Manager, Connection Planning: Marc-André Giasson
Sr. Connection Planner: Carolyn Hughes
Media Assistant: Ben Graham
Social Associate Director: Arturo Valenzuela
Social Associate Director: Shannon Stone
Social Campaign Manager: Sami Le
Social Associate: Gabrielle Lowe
Associate Director, Addressable Strategy: Darcy Selke
SR. Director, Integrated Investments: Boris Pancevic
Comments