Chris Pratt Works Out and Likes Beer in Michelob Ultra's Super Bowl Ad

Actor Stars in Pair of Ads Running During the Game

Published On
Jan 31, 2018

Editor's Pick

Michelob Ultra is bringing some levity to its fitness-themed campaign with a pair of Super Bowl ads by FCB Chicago starring actor Chris Pratt.

The first ad portrays Pratt training to appear in an Ultra ad with a regimen that includes a few 12-ounce curls. The brand released an extended cut of the ad, called "The Perfect Fit," which will air as a 30-second spot in the game.

Ultra will run a 30-second sequel later in the game, "I Like Beer," the longer version of which (seen above) debuted today. It stars Pratt alongside pro golfer Brooks Koepka, pro surfer Kelly Slater and marathon runner Shalane Flanagan and features a remake of the song "I Like Beer." The beer-swilling anthem was first recorded in 1975 by Tom T. Hall and was re-recorded by country music singer Jon Pardi.

Ultra reps say this is the first time Pratt has appeared in a TV commercial for any brand.

The ads mark a change in tone from the spots Ultra ran in the last two Super Bowls, which featured montages of intense workouts like distance running, deadlifts, burpees and sweat-filled spinning classes. Still, the Anheuser-Busch InBev brand is sticking with its general theme of plugging Ultra as a post-workout brew. But the new tone is meant to be more inclusive. Not everyone can run a marathon, after all.

"One of the things that we've learned is that the way that fitness and activity manifests itself in people's lives, there's a big span there," says Ultra VP Azania Andrews. "There are people who work out seven days a week and there are people for whom working out is mowing their lawn once a week, and that's how they are active. So we definitely wanted to broaden a bit the way fitness is represented."

Even the brand's tagline has been updated to take on a lighter feel, with "Brewed for those who go the extra mile" replaced in the new ads by "Live fit. Live fun. Live Ultra."

This year's ads mark the first time Ultra has run two Super Bowl ads in a single game. The pricey investment shows how Ultra has emerged as one of the most important brands in the brewer's portfolio. While Bud Light and Budweiser--which are also getting Super Bowl ads--are bigger brands when measured by sales volume, they are both suffering from sales declines. Ultra, on the other hand, is one of the hottest brands in beer, and has been for a while. Ultra finished 2017 as the sixth-largest beer brand in the U.S., after posting 21.3 percent shipment growth, according to preliminary estimates from Beer Marketer's Insights.

 

Credits

Date
Jan 31, 2018
Client :
Michelob Ultra
Client :
Michelob Ultra
Agency :
FCB
Vice President, Marketing North America :
Marcel Marcondes
Vice President, Marketing :
Azania Andrews
Senior Brand Director :
Marcela Garcia
Senior Brand Manager :
Spencer Gordon
Manager Experimental :
Joe Geoghegan
Senior Director, Experimental Marketing Sports :
Nick Kelly
Global Director Entertainment :
Jonny Sabbath
Chief Creative Officer :
Liz Taylor
Vice President/Creative Director :
Andy Kohman
Vice President/Creative Director :
Josh Hurley
Associate Creative Director :
Nick Stoner
Associate Creative Director :
Nick Howard
Senior Vice President, Director, Integrated Production :
Will St Clair
Executive Producer :
Chris Wickman
Production Company :
RESET
Director :
Gary Freedman
Managing Director :
Dave Morrison
Executive Producer :
Deannie ONeil
Executive Producer :
Jen Beitler
Bidding :
Jen Beitler
Head of Production :
JP Colombo
Producer :
Andrew Travelstead
Director, Photography :
Joe Willems
Production Designer :
Chris Gorak
Editorial :
EXILE
Editor :
Kirk Baxter
Producer :
Remy Foxx
Editorial :
CARTEL
Editor :
Leo Scott
Partner :
Lauren Blauweiss
Executive :
Lauren Blauweiss
Post Effects :
Lord + Thomas
Senior Producer :
Clare Deady
Agency :
FCB

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