Verizon celebrates what technology will never do during the Super Bowl

NEW YORK, Feb. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon returned to the Super Bowl with a heartfelt commercial focusing on what 5G technology will never do – replace the bravery and dedication of first responders, a community that has been a critical Verizon partner for decades. The :60 spot titled “The Amazing Things 5G Won’t Do” is narrated by Harrison Ford, marking the first time the actor has done a commercial voiceover. 

“Technology does amazing things to enable connections,” said Ford. “But no connection is more important than the human connection. It’s rewarding to partner with Verizon to celebrate the human spirit of first responders during a moment as meaningful as the Super Bowl.”  

“At a moment when consumers are wary, wondering who they can trust, we wanted to focus on the notion of reliability with our Super Bowl campaign,” said Diego Scotti, Chief Marketing Officer, Verizon. “First responders rely on us to provide technology that helps them do their jobs and we rely on their bravery and commitment every day. Celebrating them with a campaign that was created with talent like Harrison Ford, Eddie Vedder, Eli Manning and Peter Berg is truly impactful.”

In the Super Bowl spot, Verizon emotionally depicts heroic first responders. It is made even more impactful by featuring "River Cross", a track from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-award winning musical artist Pearl Jam's upcoming album, Gigaton, out March 27.

The campaign, which is supported online with long form content created by award-winning director Peter Berg and Film 47, culminated with a :30 spot that aired immediately after the game. The spot highlights One More Sunday, a nationwide call from Verizon and the NFL for fans across the country to pledge the time they spend watching football during the season to volunteer during the off season. The spot, narrated by recently retired NFL player and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, encourages fans to give back to their communities. For more information, visit GiveOneMoreSunday.com.

“Having played my last football season, I’m looking forward to pledging even more of my time to volunteering. It’s great to see the effort Verizon is putting into this really important campaign,” said Manning.

Verizon’s 5G network is built right and a truly powerful experience that has the potential to significantly impact industries as diverse as public safety, health care, retail, entertainment and sports. This was evident at the first Super Bowl featuring 5G—Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband – today in Miami.

Credits:

“The Amazing Things 5G Won’t Do”:

Client - Verizon
Diego Scotti, EVP Chief Marketing Officer
Andrew McKechnie, SVP Chief Creative Officer
John Nitti, SVP Chief Media Officer
Kristin McHugh, VP Brand Development
Andrew Shafer, Marketing Director Brand
Tanya Jindani, Marketing Manager Brand
Brendan O’Malley, Broadcast Production Manager

Agency - McCann New York  
Thomas Murphy, Co-Chief Creative Officer
Sean Bryan, Co-Chief Creative Officer
Dan Donovan, EVP Deputy Chief Creative Officer
Matthew Curry, EVP Deputy Chief Creative Officer
Alex Little, VP Creative Director
Karsten Jurkschat, VP Creative Director
Rob Reilly & Dan Donovan, Writers
Pedro Sampio & Karsten Jurkschat, Art Directors
John McAdorey, SVP Executive Producer
Cordelia Kipp, Senior Producer
Laura Kellerman, Producer
Debbie Gleason, Senior Business Manager
Anna Owens, Junior Business Manager
Debbie Myllek, Senior Talent Manager
Dominic Whittles, EVP Executive Account Director
Alex Caredes, EVP Executive Account Director
Rebecca Ginsberg, SVP Group Account Director
Amanda Hutt, Account Director
EmmaLee Branch, Account Supervisor
Lauren Keller, Account Executive
Anne Denny, Project Management Director
Eliza Butts, Project Manager

Art & Science
Mark Dowley 
Sue Cole 

Editorial and Finishing - NO6
Jason Macdonald – Editor
Maggie Sloane – Asst Editor
Corina Dennison - producer 

TELECINE - Co3
Stephan Sonnenfeld – Senior Colorist

Finishing - No 7 
Ed Skupeen - Engineer
Laura Molinaro- Producer. 

Sound Mix - Sonic
Paul Weiss - Engineer
Justine Cortale - producer 

Sound Record - Lime Studios
Mark Meyuhas - Engineer

Music
Pearl Jam

VO
Harrison Ford

“Closing Time”:

Client - Verizon
Diego Scotti, EVP Chief Marketing Officer
Andrew McKechnie, SVP Chief Creative Officer
John Nitti, SVP Chief Media Officer
Kristin McHugh, VP Brand Development
Andrew Shafer, Marketing Director Brand
Tanya Jindani, Marketing Manager Brand
Brendan O’Malley, Broadcast Production Manager

Agency - McCann New York  
Thomas Murphy, Co-Chief Creative Officer
Sean Bryan, Co-Chief Creative Officer NY
Dan Donovan, EVP Deputy Chief Creative Officer
Matthew Curry, EVP Deputy Chief Creative Officer
Alex Little, VP Creative Director
Karsten Jurkschat, VP Creative Director
Jake Schiappa, Art Director
Shevek Anandan, Copywriter
John McAdorey, SVP Executive Producer
Cordelia Kipp, Senior Producer
Laura Kellermam, Producer
Debbie Gleason, Senior Business Manager
Debbie Myllek, Senior Talent Manager
Dominic Whittles, EVP Executive Account Director
Alex Caredes, EVP Executive Account Director
Rebecca Ginsberg, SVP Group Account Director
Amanda Hutt, Account Director
EmmaLee Branch, Account Supervisor
Lauren Keller, Account Executive
Anne Denny, Project Management Director
Eliza Butts, Project Manager

Arts and Science
Mark Dowley 
Sue Cole 
Felicia Alston

Editorial and Finishing - NO6
Dahkil Hausif – Editor
Eduardo Wong – Asst Editor
Corina Dennison - producer 

Finishing - No 7 
Ed Skupeen - Engineer
Laura Molinaro- Producer. 

Sound Mix - Sonic
Paul Weiss - Engineer
Justine Cortale - producer 

Voice Over Talent
Eli Manning

Music:
Ashe and Spencer

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is celebrating its 20th year as one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $131.9 billion in 2019.  The company offers voice, data and video services and solutions on its award winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control. 

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Media contact:
Emily Vicker
646.988.6530
[email protected]