Ad Nut
Sep 20, 2018

Who knew missing the big moments was funny?

Heineken taps into a football fan’s worst nightmare, but says it’s ok, because Andrea Pirlo.

Ad Nut is well aware of the dilemma. Watching a football match, nothing’s happening, so that’s when you decide to do something else, just for a moment. Check your phone, go to the loo, stash some nuts, or even grab a beer. And then you miss the critical moment on the pitch.

Infuriating, or amusing? Well, Heineken thinks both, in the latest instalment of its UEFA Champions League football campaign. Part of the ‘World’s most unmissable moments’ campaign, the long-time Champions League sponsor turns the premise on its head and focuses exactly on fans missing the big moment, with wit and a deft touch.

Fans of any sport can identify with such a moment, and Publicis Italy, the ad’s creators, does a top job of telling separate, mini-stories of all the many, likely scenarios in which such a moment can take place. Ad Nut chortled particularly hard after seeing the man who turns to greet his friend who has just arrived, only to miss the crucial moment, while the friend sees it.

And what’s not to love about a saddened Andrea Pirlo, Italian World Cup winning great, morosely accepting a takeaway pizza? Ad Nut was admittedly confused by the moon-shot ending—a dig at the John Lewis Christmas ad maybe?

Ad Nut also applauds Heineken on the diversity of the ad, implicitly stating that people from all walks of life enjoy the world’s biggest sport. And presumably, they’re suggesting, Heineken too.

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.

 

Source:
Campaign Asia

Follow us

Top news, insights and analysis every weekday

Sign up for Campaign Bulletins

Related Articles

Just Published

Jan 29, 2026

Gemini 3 becomes the default model for AI Overviews

A pair of updates from Google see the tech giant attempt to gain a further foothold in the battle for AI-powered search supremacy.

Jan 29, 2026

Google criticised after blocking measurement ...

YouTube owner sent a 'cease and desist' letter to Barb and Kantar Media.

Jan 29, 2026

Inside Campaign Connect Indonesia: what matters to ...

Candid conversations on growth, AI and the cultural trade-offs of scaling brands, with more than 100 marketers in the room.

Jan 29, 2026

Meta hits $200 billion revenue milestone on ...

Meta reports double‑digit year-on-year revenue growth, with advertising once again accounting for almost all of the top line.