Rooney Fronts Latest Nike Advert

With the Olympics and Wimbledon coming up and Euro 2012 in full swing, England has gone sporting mad. Brands have, of course, been quick to latch on to this sporting fever, with Nike's "My Time Is Now" campaign currently leading the way.

Following the interactive "Hidden Tunnels" advert and the "Magic Soccer Night", the latest installment from the campaign features a close-up of Wayne Rooney listening to football commentaries about himself, before dramatically turning his gaze to the screen.

Simple? Yes. Effective? Yes. But Rooney, who seems almost drawn to causing trouble for himself, has managed to get the campaign banned from Twitter as he and England midfielder Jack Wilshere posted the link without stating that it was a Nike endorsement.

This went against Twitter's advertising code, which states that a disclaimer must be included when someone is being paid to endorse a product.

However, the footballers argued that, since it is public knowledge they are both endorsed by Nike, and the campaign's hashtag #makeitcount was included in the Tweets, followers would not be misled by the nature of the advert.

What we would like to know, however, is why Nike chose Rooney, of all players, to appear in a topless close-up ad.

Successful and, arguably, inspirational as Rooney may be, Wilshere, Lampard, or good old Beckham would have been so much more appealing.

It seems that viewers don't mind this too much, since the video has gained 422,884 views and 72,616 shares since it launched 2 days ago.

Wayne Rooney Stars In New FIFA 12 Ad

What could Wayne Rooney possibly want for Christmas? Now there is a question.

Far be it for us to help wife Coleen with her with her festive shopping, but just what do you give the man who has everything on December 25?

After all, the Manchester United is extremely rich, plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world and is the star player for his country (when he is not suspended). What could you possibly give him?

Well, it's simple. All he wants is a copy of FIFA 12. You would have thought he would have been given a free copy by now, but who are we to question. He really, really wants it, even more than a cute puppy, a new head of hair or even acting lessons.

In fact, he is not the only one. According to this latest commercial from Sony and Electronic Arts, Barcelona defender and former Man United colleague Gerard Pique, Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere, Brazilian midfielder Kaka and Everton's Tim Cahill all want it too.

FIFA party, anyone?

Wayne Rooney Set For Oscar Success After Latest French Wine Ad

We all know Wayne Rooney is a wonder-boy on the pitch and never afraid to show his emotions. However, when he gets behind the camera for this short ad for a French wine company, you could say his performance is somewhat wooden. 

Now, you may be asking: why is Rooney doing a wine ad? Surely, the England football super star would be best served doing a beer ad. 

Well, Casillero del Diablo are the 'official wine partners' of Manchester United, and to help with their latest ad campaign they naturally enlisted the services of the Red Devils' biggest star. 

Problem is, the striker's delivery, as he moodily stares out of the window, is simply frightening.

Rooney is also joined by fellow Manchester United team mates Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra, who do a somewhat better job than the England front-man.

I think it's safe to say, I don't think Rooney will be inundated with acting scripts based on this stale display.

Don't give up the day job, Wayne.  

New Commercial From The Sun Manages The Impossible: Turning Wayne Rooney Into A Thing Of Beauty

There are a lot of ways you could describe Wayne Rooney, but 'a thing of beauty' is not one of them.

So you can't help but take your hat off to Richard Swarbrick, whose fascinating animation technique on a new ad for The Sun newspaper has somehow managed to transform the potato-faced striker into just that. 

The 30-second commercial from agency WCRS is an animated version of the Manchester United forward's wonder goal against Manchester City last season. Terry Venables provides the voiceover.

And, well, it is well worth a look - even if you are a Man City fan.

The ad is designed to promote The Sun's football coverage ahead of the start of the new Premier League season next month.

And on this evidence, 'the beautiful game' has never looked better.

You can check out more of Swarbrick's work here.

Via The Drum.

Stars Turn Out For Launch Party Of UK Viral Ads Chart

Imagine Wayne Rooney, Isaiah Mustafa, Grover from Sesame Street and a surprised cat all making an appearance at your party.

OK, so it may sound like a cheesy dream sequence from Twin Peaks or even one of Elton’s John’s weird Hollywood parties, but that is the line-up for the launch party of the IAB’s and Unruly Media’s UK Viral Ads Chart next week.

And it’s all thanks to the magic of viral.

OK, so they are not really coming to the event at IAB’s Macklin Street headquarters on Tuesday, November 30.

But as they all, apart from the kitty, feature in the list of the top 20 UK viral adverts of 2010 – which will be announced on the night - they will be there in spirit, or something.

Well, it may sound interesting on paper, but would you really want a drunk Muppet in your home?

Click to read more ...