Once again, ESPN will present a day full of marquee NBA match ups on Christmas Day. To celebrate, Santa returns to ESPN’s airwaves on December 8 to declare “Xmas” as the official holiday of the NBA and to share the holiday hopes, dreams and fears of some of the league’s biggest and brightest stars.
Players featured in the campaign – all of whom will be playing on Christmas Day – include:
- Ben Simmons — Philadelphia 76ers
- Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards
- John Wall – Washington Wizards
- Nick Young – Golden State Warriors
- JR Smith – Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the fourth year of ESPN’s Santa campaign, which will run across ESPN properties on air and online. This year Jon Glaser (Parks and Recreation, Girls) is channeling the esteemed Mr. Claus. ESPN collaborated with Funworks on the campaign, which will run through Christmas Day.
The NBA on Christmas Day schedule:
- 76ers at Knicks – 12 p.m. (ESPN)
- Cavs at Warriors – 3 p.m. (ABC)
- Wizards at Celtics – 5:30 p.m. (ABC)
- Rockets at Thunder – 8 p.m. (ABC)
Creative Credits:
Client: ESPN
VP, Marketing: Seth Ader
Director, Marketing: Michael Kopech
Manager, Marketing: Patrick Butkus
Associate Manager, Marketing: Christina Amorose
Coordinator, Marketing: Danielle Mills
Director, Talent: Chantre Camack
Associate Director, Talent: Sharee Stephens
Coordinator, Talent: Azim Lateef
Agency: Funworks
Chief Executive Officer: Paul Charney
Chief Creative Officer: Craig Mangan
President: Jefferson Coombs
Creative Directors: Quentin Shuldiner, Brian Fink
Copywriters: Scott Menzie, Colin Nissan
Art Directors: Candace Faircloth, Sean Farrell
Account Director: Beth Soto
Producer: Gemma Edward Aron
Group Strategy Director: Kenny White
Creative Strategist: Ray Hobbs
Production Company: The Corner Shop
Directors: Peter Martin
Managing Partner / EP: Anna Hashmi
Partner / Director: Peter Thwaites
Producer: Jessica Miller
Controller: Sharon Richard
Producer: Lawrence Lewis
Editorial and Finish: The Cabinet
Editor: Doug Cox
Executive Producer: Jim Vaughan
Assistant Editors: Brian Gavin, Marta Navarrete
Finishing Artist/VFX: Mark Everson
Motion Graphics: Jay Goodman
Color Grade: Mission Film & Design
Colorist: Chris Martin
Audio Mix: One Union Recording
Audio Engineer: Joaby Deal
Talent: Jon Glaser
Representation: Izzy Arias at United Talent