TABtouch enlists rocker Gene Simmons in new brand platform via Clemenger BBDO, Sydney
Racing and Wagering Western Australia brand TABtouch and global rock music legend Gene Simmons are encouraging punters to use their ‘Touch’ in a new brand campaign spearheaded by a series of three TVCs from Clemenger BBDO Sydney.
‘The Touch’ campaign heroes the passion of TABtouch customers who believe they have the knack of picking a winner – and reminds them to use it wisely with the help of the iconic rocker from KISS.
In a reversal of traditional rock stars and fan roles, Simmons becomes a fan of lead character, an everyday TABtouch punter (sport/racing whisperer).
Simmons’ theatrical appearances see him appear before the Whisperer at unexpected moments to belt out a reworked version of ’80s Stan Bush hit, ‘You’ve got the touch’.
The Racing and Sport spots see the punter displaying their knack for racing and sport before being interrupted by The Demon as he serenades them with the over-the-top anthem.
The series culminates with ‘Unplugged’, where Simmons’ reminds our punters that even those with ‘The Touch’ should gamble responsibly – and not at the expense of spending time with people they love.
Says Brendan Willenberg, ECD, Clemenger BBDO Sydney: “When TABtouch came to us with the brief to go big, we took them literally by getting the seven-foot Gene Simmons to rip out an old 80s anthem that worships the punter. They’re a lot of fun and already doing wonders for the brand.“
Says Katie Roberts, head of marketing, TABtouch: “We’re thrilled to be launching our new ‘The Touch’ brand campaign together with the Clemenger BBDO Sydney team who have built on the equity of TABtouch to bring some fun and excitement to the brand. Here at TABtouch, we are in the business of entertainment, so who better to front our campaign than the ultimate entertainer Gene Simmons.”
Says Michael Downing, director at Sweetshop: “These scripts had me with ‘that’s not a horse mate, that’s Gene Simmons from KISS’. This is the comedy I like to do. Smart, reality-based ideas with Gene Simmons. In a pub. With a chicken parmie. Ordinary folks trying to go about their day and when juxtaposed with the Glam Rock world they ignite a quiet explosion of comedy. And then there’s Dene the Head Banger who lives in his Mother’s basement. That’s actually me!”
The campaign is running nationally on Sky Racing, and in WA on subscription and free to air TV, print, OOH, digital and radio – with more spots coming in the future.
In addition to the TVCs, Clemenger BBDO has refreshed TABtouch’s brand design to ensure it is distinct and modern with a bold new visual identity to be used across audience touch points.
TABtouch
General Manager: Wagering Michael Saunders
Head of Marketing: Katie Roberts
Wagering Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager: Brian Murphy
Wagering Marketing Campaign Lead: Claire Rocca
Clemenger BBDO Sydney
Executive Creative Director: Brendan Willenberg, Darren Wright
Creative Director: Roy Leibowitz
Creative Director: Chris Wilson
Head of Integrated Production: Claire Bisset
Executive Producer: Nick Canham
Client Services Director: Jade Clark
Senior Account Director: Adriana Robbins
Account Manager: Athina Bambaliaros
Creatives: Rowan Foxcroft, James Beswick
Senior Designer: María Fernanda Ancines
Production company: Sweetshop
Director: Michael Downing
Managing Director: Edward Pontifex, Sweetshop Australia
Managing Director: Jeff Miller, Sweetshop USA
Managing Director: George Meeker, Sweetshop USA
Executive Producer: Greg Fyson
AU Producer: Helen Morahan
US Producer: Mark Conley
Staff Production Manager: Ian Jameson
Sound: Rumble Studios
Sound House: Rumble Studios
Sound Designer: Tone Aston
Sound EP: Michael Gie
The Editors
Editor: Stuart Morley
Producer: Liv Reddy
Assistant Editor: Grace O’Connell
Colourist: Fergus Rotherham
Flame Artist: Andy McKenna
Flame Artist: Stu Cadzow
Illustrations:
Black Madre Studio, Sāo Paulo
Creative Director: Andre Maciel
Illustrations Production Agency:
Create Agency, Amsterdam
Producer: Arnold van den Berg
15 Comments
I watched all three hoping 1 might at least be good. Ended up trying to work out which one was the worse.
(a) Transformers animated movie
(b) Boggie Nights
(c) TAB
It’s better than the other gambling garbage on TV. Plus Gene Simmons…
Roy and Chris killing it over there!
c
Will work its socks off. Nice one
I am very fond of Chris and Roy.
every person in the target market.
Will this trash never end. Don’t people feel ashamed to work on gambling ads?
Sorry, I’m confused. Gene Simmons covers a song he hasn’t written to say ‘you’ve got the touch (although gamble responsibly) to random punters? Well done on getting Gene Simmons. I just don’t understand why you’d spend all that money to get a famous person to cover a completely unrelated person’s song?
looks and sounds cheap as chips…hey maybe the punters will love it…dunno
They’re pretty good.
Sorry I couldn’t attend the shoot.
Yes I was touched.
no apparent strategy. poor execution. not funny. not relatable. sorry tab. embarrassing use of gov $$.