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Fourth-Place Medal

Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:59 am EDT

FPM Medals: Best Olympic-themed ad

By Maggie Hendricks

We're celebrating the best and worst of the Olympics. Check here for more FPM Medals.

There was some discussion at the FPM water cooler on which ad would receive this award. So many are worthy of recognition -- the Marvin Gaye Nike ad and the Visa Go World series particularly stood out. However, for its use of a great song, strong images and allusions to the entire Olympic experience, we award:

Nike's ad that proclaims "All that you need is inside of you" is the winner of the FPM Medal for best commercial. The various images of life on the way to Olympic glory are complemented by the Killers' song "All These Things That I Have Done."  Nike has once again shown that they can dazzle us with their marketing. Maybe they think it will keep us from noticing their ridiculous prices. 

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276 Comments

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  1. J
    1. Posted by J Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Love the song!
  2. Brian S (brianguy)
    2. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    great ad... but they seem to have left out the British 400m runner who collapsed and his dad helped him over the line. maybe because Visa already did it in a pre-Olympics ad voiced by Morgan Freeman. but still, no need for omission if they're talking about "courage". the guy's dad even had "NIKE" and "JUST DO IT" all over his clothing, which Visa blanked out.
  3. LATINA IS BEAUTIFUL
    3. Posted by LATINA IS BEAUTIFUL Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    whats the point on this video
  4. nancy yen
    4. Posted by nancy yen Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    hi, i had loads of fun watching the games.,but i am also looking at the medals listing for each country and i do not see trinidad and tobago for any medals.
  5. texasgal
    5. Posted by texasgal Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:53 pm EDT

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    #2 - I thought I caught a glimpse of that athlete for just a second....
  6. Brian S (brianguy)
    6. Posted by Brian S (brianguy) Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    sue... OK thanks. I'll go back and check again. maybe it was just too fast!!
  7. Ha M
    7. Posted by Ha M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    This ad kind of goes through humanity. (Example: Man on moon, etc.)
  8. maddog_207
    8. Posted by maddog_207 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    Such a fitting commercial. I was wondering what the song was. I agree that this was probably the best commercial out of all the ones for the Olympics.
    Who is that at the 0:06 mark in the commercial. It almost looks like Andre the Giant, but I don't think it's him.
  9. gatorbabe79
    9. Posted by gatorbabe79 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    I think a famous Russian weightlifter
  10. gatorbabe79
    10. Posted by gatorbabe79 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Vasili Alexyvev is the Russian weightlifing phenomenon at 0:06
  11. Mary K O
    11. Posted by Mary K O Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:12 pm EDT

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    I especially love the pictures of Lance Armstrong and his struggle through cancer before his epic Tour de France victories and of course, the beloved 'Pre', Steve Prefontaine...terrific commercial and GREAT song!
  12. Heather K
    12. Posted by Heather K Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    I liked seeing John Lester making the final out of his no hitter a year after battling cancer.
  13. Manuel D
    13. Posted by Manuel D Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    Hell yea boi thts my man cristiano ronaldo at 0:09
  14. jj14
    14. Posted by jj14 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    Yea the british runner from the visa comercial is in there on the 49th second
  15. Mary Alice
    15. Posted by Mary Alice Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    Derek Redmond (the British runner who's dad helped him over the finish line) IS in the ad. It's just a split second, towards the end, but he's definitely there.
  16. Crystalized
    16. Posted by Crystalized Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    I agree with this selection, with VISA ads running a very tight second place.
  17. baritoneole
    17. Posted by baritoneole Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    What about the office slap face commercial and the dwight centathalon commercial?
  18. Bluesfanm60
    18. Posted by Bluesfanm60 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    It was in there, the runner and his dad who helped him finish. I saw it... at least I think I saw it.
  19. Zach J
    19. Posted by Zach J Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

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    awsome but I like the office commercial better
  20. I.C. wieners
    20. Posted by I.C. wieners Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    no one can beat morgan freeman
  21. I.C. wieners
    21. Posted by I.C. wieners Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    he plays god
  22. Tony
    22. Posted by Tony Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    I liked the Visa Go World ones a little better.
    I absolutely hated the repetitive car commercials, that same Bank of America ad played 5 times an hour, and those Home Depot commercials saying they employ a bunch of Olympic nobodies.
  23. Doc Rock
    23. Posted by Doc Rock Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    Not even close. The Oreo commercial with the little girls on different trains takes the gold!
  24. It'scrazy
    24. Posted by It'scrazy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    I'm partial to the kleidsdale horse and dalmation Budweiser ad. You gotta pull for the underdog!

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