Ted Lasso's Brendan Hunt Gets Small (and Tuneful!) for DoorDash
A Ted Lasso star and a QR code. What more do you need?
A few key phrases such as "Timeout, Order In," actually. But that's about all.
DoorDash's minimalist TV spots feature Brendan Hunt perched high atop the simple lines of copy. He jokes around, strums a guitar and sings a silly song. One of those handy-dandy codes completes the picture.
Such scenes take place against a bold red backdrop. The camera never moves.
The approach was developed with Furlined directing duo Speck & Gordon and targets football fans. It recalls Coinbase's lauded 2022 QR-driven Super Bowl outing. More recently, Coca-Cola gave the codes a major role in a push with Jon Batiste.
"Sports fans know better than anyone that there are a lot of commercial breaks during the games, and sometimes they can feel just as intense as the game itself with all the action," Jennifer Richardi, head of consumer brand marketing at DoorDash, tells Muse.
"The simplicity of text on the screen with a QR code allows fans to take an intentional moment, pick up their phones and scan the code, which takes them directly to DoorDash," she says. "They can seamlessly explore local and national favorites and place an order before the game resumes."
OK, but are we sure that's really Brendan Hunt? It's kind of tough to make out his face.
"Though physically small on screen, his presence throughout the spots is mighty," Richardi says. "His love of and association with sports, coupled with his spot-on humor, tied the campaign together in a way that not only highlighted the refreshing simplicity of the commercials, but should also feel authentic to football fans."
"Many can relate to being so tuned into the game that they forget to order dinner, or worse—miss a critical play while walking away for just a moment to grab a snack. Brendan helped bring the message of 'Timeout, Order In' to life, grabbing fans' attention so they clearly identify the perfect time to order."
"Timeout, Order In" debuts across national TV, digital and social media during this weekend's NFL schedule.
CREDITS
Agency: Superette, DoorDash's in-house Creative Studio
Executive Creative Director: Mariota Essery
Creative Director: Rafael Segri
Creative: Robert Cuff
Sr. Copywriter: Flávio Cherem
Sr. Art Director: Sarah Saltonstall
Sr. Manager, Business Lead: Trina Sethi
Project Manager: Daisy Farbor
Executive Producer: David Schiavone
Producer: Jeremy Lewis
CMO: Kofi Amoo-Gottfried
Sr. Director, Brand Marketing: David Bornoff
Director, Consumer Brand Marketing: Jennifer Richardi
Director, Brand Marketing, U.S. Marketplace: Alex Hebels
Director, U.S. Marketplace: Pete Sergel
Sr. Manager, Consumer Marketing: Catherine Fagan
Production Company: Furlined
Directors: Speck & Gordon
Post House: UnionEditorial
Editor: Graham Turner
Head of Production: Dani DuHadway Spagnoli
Managing Partner: Michael Raimondi
Producer: Lillian Ghodoushim
AE: Josh Miller
VFX & Finishing: Fancy VFX
Founder / ECD / VFX: Randie Swanberg
Owner / CD / VFX: Mario Caserta
Executive Producer: Alex Tracy
EP, Director of Sales: Amy Jones
