In 1992, Gatorade released one of the most iconic commercials of all time, the “Be Like Mike” ad campaign. The commercial featured basketball legend Michael Jordan drinking Gatorade and playing basketball while a catchy jingle played in the background. The ad quickly became a cultural phenomenon and is still remembered today as one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history.
The “Be Like Mike” campaign was a huge success for Gatorade, which saw a significant increase in sales after the commercial aired. The campaign also helped to solidify Michael Jordan’s status as a cultural icon, inspiring a generation of young athletes to aspire to be like him. The commercial’s catchy jingle and memorable tagline, “I wanna be like Mike,” became a cultural touchstone and is still referenced in popular culture today.
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Key Takeaways
- The “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial is one of the most iconic ads of all time.
- The campaign was a huge success for Gatorade and helped to solidify Michael Jordan’s status as a cultural icon.
- The commercial’s catchy jingle and memorable tagline became a cultural touchstone and are still referenced in popular culture today.
Background
The “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial debuted in 1992 and quickly became one of the most iconic advertisements of all time. The commercial featured Michael Jordan, who was at the height of his basketball career at the time, and a catchy jingle that encouraged viewers to “be like Mike” by drinking Gatorade.
The Gatorade Brand
Gatorade is a sports drink that was first developed in 1965 by a team of researchers at the University of Florida. The drink was designed to help athletes stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes lost during exercise. The Gatorade brand quickly became popular among athletes and sports teams, and it is now one of the most well-known sports drinks in the world.
The Be Like Mike Campaign
The “Be Like Mike” campaign was launched in 1992 as part of Gatorade’s marketing efforts. The campaign was based on the idea that Michael Jordan was the ultimate athlete and that everyone should strive to be like him. The “Be Like Mike” jingle was written specifically for the campaign and was sung by R&B singer Tevin Campbell.
The commercial itself featured Michael Jordan playing basketball with a group of kids while the “Be Like Mike” jingle played in the background. The commercial was an instant hit and helped to solidify Gatorade’s position as the go-to sports drink for athletes.
Overall, the “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial is a classic example of effective marketing. By associating their brand with one of the greatest athletes of all time, Gatorade was able to create a lasting impression in the minds of consumers. Today, the “Be Like Mike” campaign is still remembered fondly by many sports fans and is often cited as one of the greatest commercials of all time.
The Commercial
Overview
The Gatorade “Be Like Mike” commercial is one of the most iconic sports commercials of all time. The ad, which first aired in 1992, features basketball legend Michael Jordan and a catchy jingle that has become synonymous with the Gatorade brand.
The commercial was created by the advertising agency Bayer Bess Vanderwarker and directed by Steve Shafer. The jingle was written by Ira Antelis, with lyrics by Bernie Pitzel. The ad was part of Gatorade’s “Be Like Mike” campaign, which aimed to associate the drink with Jordan’s incredible athletic ability.
Production
The commercial was shot in Chicago and features Jordan playing basketball with kids and adults who all want to “be like Mike.” The ad also includes footage of Jordan playing in a game, drinking Gatorade, and hitting a game-winning shot.
The commercial was a huge success for Gatorade and Nike, who sponsored Jordan at the time. It helped to solidify Gatorade’s position as the go-to sports drink for athletes and cemented Jordan’s status as a sports icon.
Jingle
The jingle that accompanies the commercial is one of the most recognizable in advertising history. The song, which is set to the tune of “I Want to Be Like You” from Disney’s The Jungle Book, features lyrics about wanting to be like Michael Jordan.
The jingle was so popular that it was released as a single and even reached number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The success of the jingle helped to further cement Gatorade’s association with Jordan and made the “Be Like Mike” campaign even more successful.
Overall, the Gatorade “Be Like Mike” commercial is a classic sports advertisement that has stood the test of time. It helped to establish Gatorade as the go-to sports drink and cemented Michael Jordan’s status as a sports icon.
Impact
The “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial, featuring basketball legend Michael Jordan, had a significant impact on both sales and popular culture.
Sales
The commercial, which debuted in 1992, was a huge success for Gatorade and its parent company, Quaker Oats. Sales of Gatorade reportedly increased by 20% following the commercial’s release, and the brand became the top-selling sports drink in the United States.
Cultural Impact
The “Be Like Mike” commercial also had a significant impact on popular culture. The catchy jingle and memorable visuals became ingrained in the minds of viewers, and the phrase “Be Like Mike” became a cultural catchphrase.
In 2015, Gatorade celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding with a digitally remastered version of the commercial. The remastered ad featured modern-day athletes, including Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson, alongside Jordan.
The commercial also spawned a number of parodies and imitations, including a popular McDonald’s commercial featuring NBA legend Michael Jordan and Pittsburgh Steelers player Mean Joe Greene.
The impact of the “Be Like Mike” commercial was not limited to popular culture, however. The ad was also a groundbreaking moment in the world of advertising. Created by the agency Bayer Bess Vanderwarker, the commercial was the first Gatorade ad to feature Jordan, and it helped establish Gatorade as a major player in the world of sports commercials.
Today, the “Be Like Mike” campaign continues to resonate with fans of all ages. The hashtag #BeLikeMike is still used on social media, and the commercial was even referenced in the recent ESPN documentary “The Last Dance,” which chronicled Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls.
Overall, the “Be Like Mike” Gatorade commercial is a testament to the enduring power of sports advertising and the impact that a single ad can have on popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Be Like Mike Gatorade commercial made?
The Be Like Mike Gatorade commercial was made in 1992. It featured Michael Jordan, who was at the peak of his career at the time, and became an instant classic. The commercial was directed by Joe Pytka, who had previously directed several other commercials featuring Jordan.
How much money did Michael Jordan make from Gatorade commercial?
It is not clear how much money Michael Jordan made from the Gatorade commercial. However, it is known that he had a long-standing endorsement deal with Gatorade, which began in 1991 and lasted for many years. The deal was reportedly worth millions of dollars, and helped to make Jordan one of the highest-paid athletes of his time.
How successful was the Be Like Mike campaign?
The Be Like Mike campaign was incredibly successful. It helped to establish Gatorade as the leading sports drink brand in the world, and also helped to cement Michael Jordan’s status as a cultural icon. The campaign was so successful that it spawned a number of imitators, and the “Be Like Mike” slogan became a catchphrase that was used by people of all ages.
What is the quote on the Gatorade commercial?
The quote on the Gatorade commercial is “I wanna be like Mike”. The quote was part of a song that was written specifically for the commercial, and was sung by a group of children. The song became an instant hit, and helped to make the commercial one of the most memorable of all time. The “I wanna be like Mike” quote has since become a cultural touchstone, and is still used today to refer to anyone who is seen as a role model or inspiration.
