'Success Hurts' for Sprite and Star NFL QB Jalen

Yep, the press gets pushy sometimes

A pushy reporter asking inane questions? Well, I never!

In fact, I probably have been that guy a few times in my career from the POV of some interview subjects. Just once or twice, though. (Would you believe thrice?)

This trope drives an amusing :30 from Sprite starring famously taciturn, unflappable Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts.

The work falls under the long-running “Obey Your Thirst” banner. Jalen plays to type as he’s hounded by inquisitor Thirsten A. Sip (heh) at every turn.

No Pulitzer for that dude. But the brand views this outing as more than comedy.

“We wanted to have a real conversation about the micro- and macro-aggression Black and Brown athletes face, which we think is an important story to tell,” says A.P. Chaney, SVP of sparkling flavors at Sprite parent Coca-Cola N.A. “Even at the height of his game, Jalen still faces heightened scrutiny and pressure to prove his worth.”

Majority created the ad with support from WPP Open X shops Ogilvy N.Y. and VML plus Publicis Groupe. William Stefan Smith directed in bouncy docu-sitcom style.

The work breaks this week across TV, social media and online video.