In time for the NBA finals, Tim Hortons spotlights a Toronto Raptors Superfan

Patriotic film includes close-ups of Canadian Nav Bhatia’s seat and his turban

Published On
Jun 12, 2019

Editor's Pick

Anyone watching this year’s NBA Finals has likely seen a certain Toronto Raptors superfan on the sideline during the games played in Canada.

The man, Nav Bhatia, has had tickets for his courtside seat–A12–for 24 years. His dedication to the team even outlasts that of Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee and doughnut chain that has sponsored the team since 1999.

Tim Hortons is sharing Bhatia’s story of moving to Canada and his dedication to the team in a spot from creative agency Gut. Bhatia speaks about himself and the team, and how he can be seen during the games. “I hope they see diversity and loyalty. I hope people see why Canada is so special,” he says in the ad.

“Watch any Toronto Raptors home game and you will spot him near the net, always there on time, till the game has ended, since the Raptors inception in 1995,” Paloma Azulay, global head of creative excellence at Tim Hortons, said in a statement. “Nav Bhatia embodies Tim Hortons brand values of inclusion and diversity, so no one better than him to share an inspiring message about this historic moment for Toronto Raptors and Canada.”

For now, though, the ad is where people will see Bhatia, since the next game in the series will be played in California. If the Raptors win Thursday night, they win the series. But if the Golden State Warriors win game six in Oakland Thursday night, they’d force a game seven, which would be back in Toronto on Sunday. And, as Bhatia says, seat A12 will never be empty.

 

Credits

Date
Jun 12, 2019
Client :
Tim Hortons
Agency :
Gut
Directed by :
Lucas Dabrowski
Production :
Spy Films
Executive Producer :
Carlo Trulli
Producer :
Matt Wiele
Director of Photography :
Kristofer Bonnell
Edit :
School
Editor :
Mark Morton
Editing :
School Editing
Online :
Fort York
Mix :
BoomBox Sound
Production House Producer :
Matt Wiele
Associate Creative Director :
Eliana Ferrer
Associate Creative Director/Copywriter :
Jeff Hodgson
Chief Creative Officer :
Anselmo Ramos
Executive Producer :
Cecilia Salguero
Senior Art Director :
Giulia Magaldi

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