• by Teresa Buyikian , April 23, 2024

Dave & Buster’s may have been founded by the real Dave (Corriveau) and Buster (James "Buster" Corley), but a very different Dave and “Busta” are throwing down over the name in a humorous new campaign for the company’s 50% off food promotion for rewards members.

In the hero :55 video, seen here, a voiceover explains that in honor of the 50% off promo, Dave & Buster’s will knock off half its name. We see Dave Burd (better known as rapper, and comedian Lil’ Dicky), across a table from fellow rapper Busta Rhymes. “It’s Dave vs. Busta and only one name can win,” says the VO.

Busta says he’s doing this for “all of the Bustas, and Dave’s a dumb name.”  Lil’ Dicky cluelessly responds with “I was just minding my own business and Busta challenged me to some event. … I don’t really know what’s going on.”

The VO continues, “What’s going on will probably be terrible for you, Dave,” as the viewer now sees Busta in full boxing gear ready to rumble. “I don’t think we actually have to fist-fight,” says Lil’ Dicky. “I feel like we could just play one of these hundreds of Dave & Buster’s games. It would be a missed opportunity.” The spot ends with both rappers looking at one another in uncomfortable silence until Lil’ Dicky says, “ How long do we stand here?”

“We needed to find our perfect Dave and Buster who embodied what Dave & Buster’s is all about: fun,” the company’s CMO, Megan Tobin, told QSR Insider. “Busta Rhymes and Dave Burd (Lil Dicky) bring joy to so many people through their music and art so we knew they would bring a perfect level of fun to the ads, and they more than delivered.”

The new work, running on national broadcast, CTV and paid and organic social media, was the first for the brand from Maximum Effort, the ad agency formed by Hollywood heavyweight Ryan Reynolds and known for comedic efforts for Aviation Gin and Mint Mobile.

The campaign is part of the launch of Dave & Buster’s menu, which includes more than 20 new items such as sharable Sampler Boards and Loaded Barbacoa Fries, and will be 50% off for Dave & Buster’s rewards members until April 28.