Belgacom: "Better Soccer For Better Television" Ambient Advert by Famous Brussels

Type of Entry: Strategy
Category: Traffic Building
Title: BETTER SOCCER FOR BETTER TELEVISION
Advertiser/Client: BELGACOM TV
Product/Service: DIGITAL TV SOCCER SUBSCRIPTIONS
Entrant Company: FAMOUS Brussels, BELGIUM
DM/Advertising Agency: FAMOUS Brussels, BELGIUM
Creative Credits
Name Company Position
Christophe Ghewy Famous Creative Director
Tim Driesen Famous Creative Director
Joeri Van Den Broeck Famous Creative Director
Johan Verest Famous Creative Director
Laurent Van Loon Famous Creative Director
Frederik Clarysse Famous Copywriter
Johan Smeyers Famous Art Director
Anneke Verbelen Famous Account Manager
Goedele Soetemans Famous PR Officer
Inge Van Der Haeghen Famous PR Officer
Details
Describe the brief from the client:
Belgian soccer is exclusively broadcast by Belgacom TV, a Belgian pay television network. Belgacom TV wanted to boost sales by sending out a mailing. But would this be sufficient? We came to the conclusion that Belgacom TV had one major problem: Belgian soccer is way too defensive and - as a consequence - boring. Who wants to pay money to see boring soccer?
Creative Execution:
Now our product was optimised, it made sense to send out a mailing that boosted sales. It contained a personal copy of the charter: A collector’s item for every fan. A letter and brochure, explaining Belgacom TV’s offer, went with it. And this campaign boosted more than just sales. It boosted the entire Belgian soccer. Late December 2008, another column was written about it in Belgium’s biggest paper, with more than 1 million readers. That’s four months after the launch of the campaign.
Describe the creative solution to the brief/objective.
We needed to make Belgian soccer better to improve our product. How? By calling on the Belgian coaches’ sense of pride. In the past, they chose tactics which were proven too defensive. The League of Professional Clubs called the national sports press together. All coaches signed a charter called “straight on goal”, in which they promised to play more attractive, offensive and spectacular soccer. The charter got nationwide attention in the media. The start of the season became more attractive to look forward to. Only now it made sense to send out a mailing that boosted sales.
Describe the results in as much detail as possible.
Belgacom TV subscriptions increased by 17% compared to last year. Besides: Average 2.8 goals per game were scored (Premier League: 2.6). Discussion amongst fans continues: “Your team does/doesn’t play along the charter”. The campaign not only boosted sales, but the entire Belgian soccer.