The Canadian soccer star appears in a fun spot directed by Adeel Shamsi of Alfredo Films timed for the FIFA World Cup
Nothing tackles hunger quite like an Osmow’s shawarma.
The restaurant chain is celebrating its status as the Official Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Restaurant Partner of Canada Soccer’s National Teams with an engaging commercial timed to coincide with the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Directed by Alfredo Films’ Adeel Shamsi, the 30-second spot ‘Habibi’ stars Osmow’s newest brand ambassador, Cyle Larin. The Brampton, Ont.-born footballer is a forward with the Canadian Men’s National Team, plays his club football with Club Brugge KV of the Belgian First Division, and also happens to be a huge Osmow’s fan.
The spot opens with a shot of a referee blowing his whistle and Canadian fans reacting to the sight of Larin lying on the pitch. The team trainer shakes his head as he looks at the manager, who simply says “Send him in.”
It then cuts to an Osmow’s delivery guy exaggeratedly making his way onto the pitch, where he shoulders the trainer aside and perks Larin up simply by waving an Osmow’s shawarma under his nose. The spot then cuts to the announcers’ booth, where both are now holding a shawarma. “That’s Osmow’s, baby,” says one, as his partner chews contentedly on the mid-match snack.
The Osmow’s team created the concept for the spot, in association with Shamsi. “This spot is a perfect representation of Osmow’s love for soccer,” says President and Chief Marketing Officer, Bernadette Osmow. “We are thrilled to partner with Canada Soccer as Cyle and the rest of the Men’s National Team make their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 36 years.”
Shamsi has previously worked on several Osmow’s spots, including a well-received 2019 ad featuring the Toronto Raptors’ Fred VanVleet and Norm Powell, and a follow-up spot starring just Powell (now with the Los Angeles Clippers).
The director says he didn’t have much of a chance to speak with Larin prior to the shoot, and knew he was only available for a short time on the day of the shoot. “He was great to work with,” says Shamsi. “He was extremely easygoing, game for anything and took direction really well.”
The spot is being supported by a national media buy throughout the FIFA World Cup, as well as during Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors telecasts. It is also streaming on DAZN during NFL games, as well as on both specialty and conventional TV.
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Brand
Company name: Osmows
Marketing Director: Marina Baric
Chief Executive Officer: Ben Osmow
President: Bernadette Farag
Production
Company name: Alfredo Films
Director: Adeel Shamsi
Executive Producer: Xavier St-Roch
Director of Photography: Matt Bendo
Line Producer: David DeRose
Online Editor: Justin Stevenson
Editorial
Company name: Outsider Editorial
Editor: Cam Anderson
Edit Assistant: Nathan Olszewicki
Edit Assistant: Daniel Karan
Producer: Kayan Choi
Executive Producer: Kristina Anzlinger
Post Production / VFX
Company name: Outsider editorial
VFX Artist: Juan Manuel Quintero
VFX Artist: Karen Palacios
VFX Artist: Kyra Zealand
3D Artist: Elliot Ollea
VFX Supervisor: Abraham Reyes
VFX Supervisor: Youssef Abdel Rahman
Company name: ArtJail Toronto
Colourist: Clinton Homuth
Color Assistant: Austin Tang
Producer: Alison Maxwell
Music / Sound
Company name: TA2 Sound+Music
Sound Designer: Adam Ive
Sound Designer: Andrew Fumerton
Sound Engineer: Adam Ive
Executive Producer: Dana Gadsden
Genres: Comedy
Categories: Retail and Restaurants, Fast food
Alfredo Films, Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:37:43 GMT
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