The NBA rolled out its much awaited annual holiday spot, “Ballin’ in a Christmas Wonderland”, which features platinum performer Normani singing a reworked, hoops-focused rendition of the holiday classic ‘Winter Wonderland’.
The idea is simple: it’s the most wonderful time of the year because the NBA brings five gift-wrapped games featuring the league’s best matchups – ’tis the season for the NBA on Christmas Day.
Working with agency Translation and promoting the Christmas Day game broadcasters ABC and ESPN, the campaign shines the spotlight on what happens when the magic of the festive season is sprinkled on the court, and sees some of the league’s leading stars dribble and dunk on a ‘winterized’ court for a festive Christmas Wonderland.
The spot features big name NBA players from the five Christmas Day matchups: including LeBron James (LA Lakers), Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets), D’Angelo Russell (Golden State Warriors) and Anthony Davis (LA Lakers).
Musician Normani sings the league’s latest take on a holiday classic, as we see what happens when the magic of the season hits the court.
As for the ‘Ballin’ in a Christmas Wonderland’ lyrics, well they are as follows:
NBA, Christmas greetings
The league’s best are competing
To drive and be cheered, The Klaw to be feared
Ballin’ in a Christmas wonderland
Matchups are tight
Games all day and night
Ballin’ in a Christmas wonderland
The campaign was created by agency Translation where the team included Chief Executive Officer Steve Stoute, Chief Strategy Officer Sandi Preston, Chief Marketing Officer Chaucer Barnes, Group Creative Director Andy Ferguson, Senior Art Director Steve Torres, Senior Copywriter Neil Lopez, Director of Content Production Miriam Franklin, Executive Producer Matt Flaherty, Director of Business Affairs Thalia Tsouros, Business Affairs Manager Maria Elia, Group Account Director Sam Howard, Account Director Jared Leake, Account Supervisor Jordan Ofsevit, Strategy Director Shon Mogharabi and Project Manager Rikki Greenspan.
Editorial was by Lost Planet with Editor Bruce Herrman, Assistant Steven San Miguel, Producer Casey Cayko, Executive Producer Krystn Wagenberg, with post production by Jane, finishing by Black Hole and audio post by Heard City.
Comment:
As the festive season gets into full swing, the spotlight turns to basketball.
After all, the NBA dominates Christmas Day in the USA.
The big games on the big day this year include BOS/TOR (ESPN), MIL/PHI (ABC), HOU/GSW (ABC), LAC/LAL (ABC & ESPN) and NOP/DEN (ESPN).
This also means another celebratory Christmas NBA/broadcaster commercial.
This year’s spot follows in the footsteps of some previous fabulous festive hoops films such as 2019’s ‘Lights Up’ and 2018’s ‘Young Nick (see case study), 2017’s ‘Commissioner Claus’ (see case study), 2016’s ‘Most Dunktastic Time Of The Year’ (see case study), 2015’s ‘NBA Signs Santa’ (see case study), 2013’s brilliant ‘Jingle Hoops’
and 2012’s ‘Big’.
Links:
NBA
https://www.youtube.com/user/NBA
https://www.instagram.com/nba/
Translation
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