Expat Kiwi team Howman and Radford play fast games for adidas via 180 Amsterdam and LA

adidas, via 180LA, has launched the first ever signature shoes for Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard. The all-new adiZero Rose and Beast signature shoes make their NBA debut in conjunction with a new marketing campaign by 180LA called ‘Fast Don’t Lie’. Starring Derrick, Dwight and ‘Slim Chin’, played by Ken Jeong of The Hangover.

Adidas, with agency 180LA, launched a music video on featuring the trio and a stirring duet between Dwight Howard and Slim and has just launched an interactive video experience (created by ex Saatchi Auckland creatives Tim Howman and Bex Radford) via 180 Amsterdam on YouTube where users can play against Derrick Rose.

The interactive experience evolves YouTube’s functionality, developing the channel from a platform for watching video, to a place for interacting with video. In other words pushing YouTube into a gaming territory. Slim Chin’s ‘Test your Fast’ allows you to control what’s happening on the screen; and the action plays out in video from your own POV. You put on the adiZero Rose basketball shoes and step onto Slim Chin’s court to play a game with Derrick Rose.  He does two moves, both times ending in an epic shot. You then have to keep up with him, matching his ‘fast’ in two moves, using your keyboard.

Once you’ve played Derrick Rose you arrive at the end frame where you can explore the adiZero Rose shoe and check out the rest of the basketball collection; play again, or share the experience through your social networks.

Howman and Radford have been working on adidas basketball, adidas running, adidas football and DHL Express. Before that they spent three years working at Saatchi & Saatchi Auckland, making work for almost every client. Their work has been recognised at Cannes, Clio, Axis, AWARD and published in The Work.

The two television spots will break on ESPN, TNT, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and Cartoon Network. The spots and music video were directed by Stacy Wall.