Commercial space for the Super Bowl doesn't come cheap, so you better make the most of it if you manage to snag one of these highly coveted spots. Typically, Super Bowl spots debut a few days ahead of the big game, with shortened versions being squeezed into the 30-or-so-seconds paid for. The Pokémon Company International is getting a jump on the rest of the pack, releasing today its full-length ad celebrating 20 years of Pokémon.
The ad gives off a sort of Nike/Adidas vibe, enouraging players that with enough practice and training you really can "do that."
"The ad, shot in Rio de Janeiro, explores ambition, drive, and training, concepts that every Pokémon Trainer is familiar with," a description alongside the video reads. "It celebrates the millions of Pokémon fans around the world who will enjoy identifying all of the hidden Pokémon references in the ad. It ends with a call to action for all those who strive to achieve their dreams: Train On."
The ad is part of a year-long campaign celebrating 20 years of Pokémon, which was first introduced in Japan back in 1996 with the games Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green for the Nintendo Game Boy system.
“For 20 years, the Pokémon world has inspired fans to train hard and have fun,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “This ad is reflective of that passion, and I can’t think of a bigger stage to share this story than the Super Bowl.”
A shortened 30-second version of the ad will be aired at the beginning of the third quarter of Super Bowl 50, which features a match-up between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.
