Many commercials are inspired by films, but the
latest marketing collaboration from Garage Beer flips the switch on who’s influencing whom.
The Jason and Travis Kelce-owned brew has partnered with 20th Century Studios on a :30 spot
for the upcoming “Predator: Badlands” to be released nationwide on Nov. 11.
Fans of the original 1987 “Predator” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Garage had actually
produced its own short film, “Thermal Buzz,” as humorous homage to the original complete with plenty of jungle scenes, helicopters and camouflage. Premiering online on Oct. 31 on
Garage’s social media platforms, the 11-minute short film stars footballer and owner Jason Kelce and other sports celebs such as pro-wrestler Matt Cardona and former Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive Tackle and Super Bowl champ Beau Allen.
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As a result of the short, Garage then teamed up with 20th Century Studios to collaborate on the upcoming “Predator: Badlands”
promotions.
“I think it’s important to note that the movie tie-in was purely accidental—fortunate, amazing, beautiful—but it was never planned; it just kind of
happened,” explained Garage’s Chief Creative Officer Corey Smale to Marketing Daily. “We were really just making this [short] because we loved the original so much. Our job is
just to make it dumb, which honestly makes it pretty easy.”
The 30-second collab spot, seen here, cuts together scenes of Jason
Kelce from “Thermal Buzz” and clips from the actual film “Predator: Badlands.” The ad runs on social and during select NFL games.
“We just want to keep making
longer and dumber pieces of content that can hold people’s attention—however long that may be these days,” added Smale. “It’s cool that the timing worked out the way it
did; it’s just serendipitous how that happens. We’re just thrilled to be working with the real-life ‘Predator.’”
“Thermal Buzz” was filmed just
outside of Orlando and directed by Jordan Phoenix.