Visa Gives Michael Phelps its Brandtastic Congrats

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phelps-competition.jpg

On Visa’s behalf, Morgan Freeman congratulates US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps “on having won more gold medals than anybody EVAR.” The ad started airing hours after Phelps exceeded his own expectations of winning eight gold medals — seizing his 10th on Tuesday. (He is now up to 11.)

Don’t tell me they didn’t have this bad-boy lying in wait, because I seriously doubt Freeman looked up from his gardening or whatever to go, “Oh! Phelps delivered the goods, I think I’ll put together another sepia montage and say ‘Good job’ all over the world.”

A recent Nielsen Online buzz tracking study found Phelps is the most-discussed Olympian athlete online. And on TV last night, I found out Phelps’ wingspan is 6’7″ — THREE INCHES WIDER than he is tall. Also, his feet bend 15 degrees more than the average swimmer, making them more flippery or something.

UPDATE: Everyone seems to think I hate this ad. I don’t. I think it was crafty of Visa to have it on the pipeline, I think it was a lovely way to fist-bump Phelps, and I think the campaign as a whole is a positive step away from the mediocre “Life Takes Visa” stuff we’ve been seeing. There. Please feel free to untwist your underpants.

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Steve Hall

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