- Jack Grealish joins Pepsi as
the latest Global Football Ambassador
- Grealish joins Son Heung-Min,
Vini Jr. and Leah Williamson to
take-on locals in London's streets
and show that "where there's a ball there's a way" as football
brings players together in the pursuit of enjoyment
- Hollywood star Vinnie Jones makes a cameo to show he's still
thirsty for more with Wembley-clearing kick as he claims "there's
only one Vinnie J" while Karen
Carney joins in to commentate on the street football
match
LONDON, April 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pepsi® has brought together some
of the world's greatest footballers in London to show that all they need is a ball to
create a game. The new global campaign – which coincides with
Pepsi's partnership with the UEFA Champions League – aims to show
that "Where There's A Ball There's A Way" to unlock the enjoyment
of the game.
The film is available here: https://youtu.be/OiELx6pxyl8
The quartet of international stars take on a group of locals who
challenge them to a game of "Keepy-Uppy" - in which the team that
allows the ball to hit the ground first has to buy the Pepsi for
their opposition and the spectators. It also features Hollywood star and former football legend,
Vinnie Jones, who makes a cameo in
the spot, alongside football icon, Karen
Carney.
The film challenges players to find spaces to play football and
come up with creative ways of enjoying the game. The Pepsi
ambassadors accept a challenge from a local street football team
and high-octane action ensues. The resulting game features unreal
trick-shots, and creative street freestyle football as the two
teams face off. The global stars battle it out in an enthralling
competition against the locals in Wembley outside a traditional
London café taken over by Pepsi
for the occasion.
Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand
Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks at PepsiCo said: "We're
excited to welcome Jack Grealish to
the roster of Pepsi global football ambassadors and to see him join
the team in this campaign.
"Being thirsty for more – Pepsi's philosophy – means feeling
that wherever there is a ball, there is an opportunity to find new
and unexpected ways to find enjoyment through the game. Whether
you're playing on the biggest stages in the world or on city
streets, there's an opportunity to unlock the enjoyment that it
brings."
The action takes place in and around Wembley Stadium in
anticipation of the iconic venue hosting the UEFA Champions League
Final on 1 June 2024.
The film captures jaw-dropping footballing skills. Jack Grealish is captured in slow-motion
pulling-off tricks while taking selfies with fans. Son's cheeky
grin and fan-favorite signature "camera" goal celebration also
makes an appearance.
Jack Grealish said,
"I am thrilled to take part in this first campaign with Pepsi and
join the team. When I was growing up, I just wanted to play—whether
in the house, the street, or on the pitch. Our "Where There's A
Ball, There's A Way" campaign aims to get more people to take every
opportunity to enjoy the game."
Son Heung-Min adds,
"Whether it's "No Ball Games" or "Keep Off The Grass" signs, there
are fewer and fewer places to play. We want to inspire people to
find ways to discover new ways to play football. We want to show
that, whether you're on your own, with your crew or your team,
there is always a way for a game to happen if you think
creatively."
During the film, the players do all they can to keep the ball in
play. They are saved by England
international Leah Williamson, who
rescues her teammates from near-defeat. The stars are also joined
in the action by football icon Karen
Carney, who pops-up to commentate on the match that is
unfolding on the streets.
Leah Williamson said,
"This campaign is about making everyone feel they belong in the
football community, as long as they've got a ball and the thirst to
play. I want to encourage fans—and especially women and
girls—around the world to enjoy more of the game, pick up a
football, and get involved no matter who or where they are."
As the film comes to a close, Legendary Londoner Vinnie Jones
appears to go head-to-head with Vini Jr. giving the locals the win
against Pepsi's all-star international line-up. He kicks the ball
towards Wembley's iconic arch to finish the game before
proclaiming, "There's only one Vinnie J".
Vini Jr. said, "We're encouraging fans around the
world to challenge convention and pick up a football for the sheer
pleasure of the game. I know better than anyone because street
football is how I spent my childhood. I was the boy from São
Gonçalo who played against a concrete wall to learn how to control
the ball and it's brought me here. This campaign reminded me that
the beauty of football is that all you need is a ball and the
desire to play, and you've got yourself a game."
Vinnie Jones said:
"Featuring alongside some of the world's best players was a real
joy. I certainly wasn't the most conventional player during my
football days, so to be involved in a Pepsi campaign which
encourages fans to challenge convention and pick up a ball, no
matter who or where they are, was something I'm proud to be part
of".
The film ends with Vini Jr. revealing that he is wearing a
jacket that turns into a football which he removes and kicks for
the waiting players so the game can continue.
Going forwards, Pepsi's "Where There's A Ball There's A Way"
campaign will see the brand unlock unexpected ways to play, both on
and off the pitch. Fans can follow Pepsi channels to see more as
the campaign unfolds: X
(Twitter), Instagram, Facebook
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by
consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200
countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more
than $91 billion in net revenue in
2023, driven by a complimentary beverage and convenient foods
portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade,
Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product
portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages,
including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail
sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in
Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo
Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that
puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will
create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries
and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more
information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X
(Twitter), Instagram, Facebook,
and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
CONTACT: Jack Ashton, Pepsifootball@hopeandglorypr.com
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SOURCE PepsiCo