As the NBA season draws near, I'm ready to start delivering some regular commentary on my favorite pro league. I have been searching around for some classic NBA images and came across this classic ad featuring Magic Johnson.
What strikes me about this ad from 1982 is the simplicity of the image and the message. There are no really catchy slogans other than the "Feelin' 7up" being used. Magic is not dressed up in a crazy costume or pictured saving the world. The image is just a simple picture of Magic and his classic smile holding up the product he is endorsing. Add in his signature and a look at the Lakers logo on his jersey and there you have it.
Magic's classic smile was his trademark and that is all that 7up relied on in this ad to market their product. In the sports advertising world we live in today, it is "refreshing" to look back at the simplicity of an old ad like this one. Just show the celebrity holding your product with a smile on his face. It is a simple, but extremely effective endorsement of a product, old school style.
Jim,
You are right.
7up only needed the greatest 'Old Schooler' of all time and his signature smile to sell their product.
Remember when we admired how hard that young fella must have worked to be able to don that true 'classic' jersey and become a professional athlete?
I grew up rooting against the Lakers, the arch-rival of my favorite Celtics, but you know Magic really was magic! Oh, how he elevated his teammates, opponents and the game.
There never will be another like him.
Daniel J Leonard
Tucson, Arizona
Posted by: Daniel J Leonard | October 15, 2009 at 01:44 AM