This year, the National Basketball Association commemorates Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month with a powerful new commercial for the 2014-2015 season.
“Barrier Breakers” pairs audio of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s monumental “I Have A Dream” speech with black & white footage of iconic “firsts” from the NBA’s storied history of racial and cultural breakthroughs. From the 1950 signing of Chuck Cooper, the league’s first African-American player, to Violet Palmer, the first female referee in men’s professional sports, to the high-profile 2013 coming out of Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, the new broadcast film takes viewers on a breathtaking journey through some of the most significant basketball moments of the past 60 years.
“Barrier Breakers” was created by NBA advertising agency, Translation. The spot will debut on broadcast during NBA games on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, Jan. 19.
Creative Credits:
Spot Title: Barrier Breakers
Client: NBA
Agency: Translation
CEO: Steve Stoute
Chief Creative Officer: John Norman
Chief Strategy Officer: John Greene
Executive Creative Director: Betsy Decker
Art Director: Matt Comer
Copywriters: Amir Farhang, Andy Ferguson
Director of Content Production/EP: Miriam Franklin
Associate Producer: Philinese Kirkwood
Account team: Tim Van Hoof, Chris Martin
Head of Brand Strategy: Tim Flood
Strategist: Lindsey Neeld
Project Manager: Matt DeSimone
Editorial Company: Cut & Run
Editor: Dayn Williams
Assistant Editor: Adam Bazadona
Post Executive Producer: Rana Martin
Post Producer: Jean Lane
Visual Effects: Sibling Rivalry
Creative Director: Matt Tragesser
Animator/Compositor: Gabe Darling
Executive Producer: Maggie Meade
Head of Production: Joanna Fillie
Post Producer: Tracey McDonough
Telecine/Conform: Company Three/Method
Colorist: Rob Sciarratta
Flame Artist: Carmen Maxcy
Audio Post: Heard City
Mixers: Phil Loeb, Evan Mangiamele
Executive Producer: Gloria Pitagorsky
Music: Trackmasters