In the ad, Belichick and the Afflecks form a team at the Java Jam “battle of the coffee brand bands.” A fourth member, “Succession” actor (and fellow Bostonian) Jeremy Strong is shown submerged in a vat of ground coffee beans, in a nod to his infamous method-acting technique. The new DunKings are confronted by the “Barista Buds,” who are dressed in all green in an obvious reference to Starbucks.
“DunKings! You’re about to get roasted, like a dark seasonal roast with coriander and a slight balsamic drizzle,” says one of the Barista Buds. “How much to wait a half hour to get my name spelled wrong on the cup?” Ben Affleck retorts.
The dialogue is a clear attempt to position Dunkin’s more simple, blue-collar appeal against Starbucks’ more complex beverage blends, while also taking a shot at its green competitor’s practice of writing names and messages on cups—a tradition it recently rekindled and is marketing as part of a new campaign that included a pre-game Super Bowl ad.
Dunkin’ at the end of the ad also seems to take a shot at McDonald’s, whose McCafe coffees and cheap breakfast eats are also a competitor. A scene shows a deranged-looking clown wearing a red tracksuit with a big hamburger on it enjoying a Dunkin’ breakfast sandwich and holding a box of its Munchkin donut holes.
