Nike Welcomes Winter With Epic, Star-Studded 'Snow Day' Commercial

After last year's brutal weather, folks in the Boston area might not be screaming "Snow day!" quite as exuberantly upon the arrival of this winter's first big storm. But New England Patriots hero Rob Gronkowski seems to have no problem with snowflakes as he headlines this epic, two-minute cold-weather commercial from Nike—ushering in the season of flurries, frozen feet and star-studded neighborhood Snow Bowls. More than 20 pro athletes turn out for the ad, from Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Ore., and Biscuit Filmworks director Steve Rogers. And no matter their actual sport, they all seem to be playing Winter Olympians for the day—if things like snowball fighting, snow-plow jumping and needlessly shattering lots of frosted glass could be Olympic sports. In the end, they line up for a football game—fittingly, as the ad will get its first airing Thursday night during the Patriots-Dolphins game. (In fact, the pecking order of celebs here seems inspired by that very game, with Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh being the first character Gronkowski encounters in his SportsCenter-like neighborhood, where only pro sportsmen and -women seem to live. Never mind that it's actually 70 degrees right now in Foxborough, Mass., where tonight's game will be played.) The spot pushes Nike's Hyperwarm baselayer of workout apparel. And in fact, kicking off winter with a tribute to the Hyperwarm line is becoming something of a tradition for Nike. This spot is more straightforward than last year's, though, which was more theatrical and featured Chris O'Dowd as a weatherman of sorts, hyperbolically describing the effects of cold on the human body. All the typical Nike energy and humor are there in the new spot, although it must be said that the constant falling snow obscures the athletes a bit and maybe dulls the impact somewhat. (These would be first world art director problems.) Along with Gronk and Suh, the ad serves up Odell Beckham Jr., Le'Veon Bell, Eugenie Bouchard, Antonio Brown, Elena Delle Donne, Marlen Esparza, Paula Findlay, Lauren Fisher, Paul George, A.J. Green, Draymond Green, Luke Kuechly, Sydney Leroux, Carli Lloyd, Marcus Mariota, LeSean McCoy, Ben Roethlisberger, Eric Weddle and Steven Stamkos. Also check out the behind-the-scenes video, which features many of the athletes reminiscing about their favorite snow day memories. CREDITS Client: Nike Project: North America Cold Weather | "Snow Day" Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Creative Directors: Chris Groom, Stuart Brown Copywriter: Brock Kirby Art Director: Lee Jennings Producer: Jeff Selis Agency Executive Producer: Matt Hunnicutt Designers: Edgar Morales, Seth Shelman Studio Manager: Alicia Kuna Motion: Sarah Gamazo, Jeff Ackley, Oliver Rokoff, Adam Sirkin Color, Retouching: Frazer Goodbody, Saskia Thomson Art Buyer: Grace Petrenka Digital Production: Patrick Marzullo, Ben Oh, Evelyn Loomis, Jenna Simon Digital, Social Strategy: Reid Schilperoort Strategic Planning: Andy Lindblade, Brandon Thornton, Reid Schilperoort Media, Communications Planning: Daniel Sheniak, Reme DeBisschop, Lisa Feldhusen, Natalie Welch Account Team: Karrelle Dixon, Corey Woodson, Shinya Kamata Project Manager: Andrea Nelsen Business Affairs: Amber Lavender Head of Production: Ben Grylewicz Executive Creative Directors: Mark Fitzloff, Joe Staples Production Companies: Biscuit Filmworks; Revolver Director: Steve Rogers Executive Producers: Shawn Lacy, Holly Vega, Dana Balkin Line Producer: Jay Veal Director of Photography: Alwin Kuchler First Assistant Director: Craig Owens Editing Company: Joint Editorial Editor: Peter Wiedensmith Assistant Editor: Dylan Sylwester Post Producer: Jen Milano Executive Producer: Leslie Carthy Operations Director: Mary Zuleger Visual Effects Company: The Mission Lead Flame: Joey Brattesani Animation Director: Piotr Karwas On-Set Supervisor: Michael Gibson Visual Effects Producer: Diana Cheng Managing Director: Michael Pardee Executive Producer: Ellen Turner Music, Sound Company: Joint Editorial Sound Designer: Noah Woodburn Song (if applicable): The Payback Mix Company: Joint Editorial Mixer: Noah Woodburn Producer: Jen Milano Production Company: Zach King Vines Director, Editor: Zach King Producer: Jadon Gauthier Photographer: Gary Land Production Company: Avenue 53 Producer: Greg Broussard Color: Company 3 Colorist: Siggy Ferstl Behind the Scenes Video: Production Company: BLS Director, Editor: Jacques Slade Producer, Editor: Matt Melander

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Nike Welcomes Winter With Epic, Star-Studded 'Snow Day' Commercial

More than 20 athletes brave the cold in style

Tim Nudd

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