Rooney overcomes obstacles in ad for 'Bloke Coke'

LONDON - Coca-Cola is to unveil the latest Coca-Cola Zero TV ad campaign, starring Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney, which takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the lengths defenders go to in order to stop forwards on the pitch.

Created by Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest, the campaign is the latest Coke Zero spot and is tasked with establishing the new Coke brand firmly in the hearts and minds of the British male.

The promotion will be aired exclusively on Sky TV's 'Soccer AM' on March 10 and is set to appear across terrestrial and satellite channels including Sky Sport 1's 'Soccer Saturday'.

The first 10 second spot 'Raiders' will run on television for six weeks and reinforces the brand's "no downsides" message. 'Raiders' includes the England striker overcoming a series of outrageous obstacles as he makes his way towards goal -- ranging from razor-sharp tripwire to giant spiked boulders. An extended version will also be broadcast in cinemas.

The second ad, 'Ice World', produced in black, white and red features Rooney enjoying an ice cold Coca-Cola Zero to communicate the real Coke taste.

This ad will run until April 22 and will be seen during the Football Champion's League campaigns for Manchester United and Liverpool.

Cathryn Sleight, marketing director at Coca Cola GB, said: "These new TV ads will continue to engage and excite Coca-Cola Zero's young male audience and keep the Zero downsides' message front of mind.

"Wayne's involvement follows on perfectly from last year's activity when he was photographed as the face of Coca-Cola Zero. Wayne is seen by many to be a guy with no downsides: hugely talented with a great job and a beautiful girlfriend -- a great fit for the brand."

The launch of Coca-Cola Zero last year, dubbed "Bloke Coke", was the company's biggest launch in over twenty years.