Adidas Uses Stars Paint and Animation To Say Impossible is Nothing

Adidas has launched a new collection of television commercials in the ‘Impossible is Nothing’ advertising campaign, each featuring people who have endured difficulties to achieve greatness. The sports personalities tell their story on canvas with brush strokes, their narratives brought to life by 2D animation artists.

Adidas has started a channel at YouTube (Adidas IIN) with a series of 14 second teasers, inviting viewers to expect more on March 6. The ads will be available online at www.adidas.com

David Beckham

Former England football captain David Beckham talks about braving death threats from fans after being sent off with a red card in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Saying how it was the lowest moment of his career he describes how he turned it all around and went to an all-time high when he scored the goal against Greece that took England to the World Cup finals.

Click on the image below to play the video in YouTube

Jonah Lomu

Jonah Lomu, New Zealand All Black rugby union player, talks about facing Nephrotic Syndrome, a rare kidney disorder, receiving a kidney transplant, and working his way back to playing rugby.

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Ian Thorpe

Australian swimming superstar Ian Thorpe was sidelined from swimming as child because of a chlorine allergy. He gradually overcame the allergy to become a multiple gold-medal winning international champion.

James Hooper and Rob Gauntlett

James Hooper and Rob Gauntlett share the story of their climbing trip in which they became the youngest Britons (aged 19) to reach the summit of Mt Everest, along with their next challenge: travelling from North to South Pole without the aid of motorized transport. They leave today, with the support of Adidas. See the Adidas TV ad and follow their progress at 180degrees.com.

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The Rest

Indian cricket batsman Sachin Tendulkar was hit on the head on his test debut at the age of 16. Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva left gymnastics for pole vaulting after being told she was too tall to excel. Soccer player Lionel Messi talks about a growth hormone at the age of 11. Basketballer Gilbert Arenas talks about sitting on the bench through the first period of his time in the NBA. Sprinter Alyson Felix talks about being called Chicken Legs.

Credits

The Adidas TV adverts were developed by 180 Amsterdam by creative directors Sean Thompson and Dean Maryon, who doubled as directors. Filming was conducted in a studio in Madrid. Animation was done at Passion Pictures. Photography was directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist David Turley.

Music is “I Love NYE” by Badly Drawn Boy, used in the film, “About A Boy”. Download the track from iTunes:

Download from iTunes: Badly Drawn Boy – About a Boy (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) – I Love NYE”