They are arguably the most collective rules changes in one year of any established professional sport. They came after lots of tweaking and minor league trials, a lot of listening and cajoling purists.
So now we are on the eve of the MLB season, with lots of input, gamesmanship, speculation and social banter, and the question remains, how will all these new and updated rules be accepted not just by players but by fans casual and die hard?
In addition to the data, and the talks we are in a visual world, and a world that doesn’t care much to know all the details. Fans want to know what does it mean? Will it get me excited and interested in the game, and can you show me a little bit to give me a taste of why I should tune in to this newly imagined game I think I know?
Enter actor Bryan Cranston and several others.
MLB took the one of most popular actors of our time…relatable, non-controversial, respected, and dropped him into a visual montage and a poetic dialogue which can excite and simplify all the rules changes in all of about one minute. The spot, and others that have been created, can be seen here, but will inspire, excite and most importantly, make the changes understandable for everyone as first pitch arrives.
Now for the die-hards, there will be tons of numbers, graphics, charts and probably some angst, especially as some of the rules are not fully understood. But for anyone…anyone…who just wants to enjoy the game, just watch the video.
Simple, understandable, well done, and in just a few seconds more than the pitch clock.
It’s a great example of using star power and amazing visuals in ones control to win hearts and minds, and bring people to the table for engagement on any device.
Now the MLB season is long, there is no denying that. But the drama, the history and the innovative steps taken are captured and fed to the consumer in these spots running everywhere, and give anyone with even a casual interest reason to tune in.
Well done MLB as the diamonds fill up, hopefully for less than three hours a game.
We get it, and the spots deliver.
