NFL / Tron: Ares
NFL, Disney, NBCUniversal, MakeMake
NFL x Tron: Ares
It’s time to get on the grid. In an exciting merger of worlds, we brought the NFL, Tron, and American football legend Saquon Barkley together in a mid-game advert. The stakes were high: it aired live at the 2025 NFL season kick-off where an epic showdown commenced between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. To tackle the challenge head on, we partnered with Disney, NBC Universal, and Make Make, collaborating in a short time frame to create something spectacular for Tron and football fans alike. The central of three interlinked advertisements, our spot focuses on Barkley as he combats drones and light cycling enemies- nothing can stop the game.
Results
1,013,400
Social Views
28.3 million
TV Views
Incorporating Iconic Plays
Drag the images to make Saquon jump!
Creative Goals- or Touchdowns?
Capturing the aesthetic essence of the Tron universe was key - from the iconic lightcycle ribbon trails to the overall cinematic tone. The Tron: Ares trailer was a major reference point for us in defining the look and feel, while ensuring our ambition and creative aligned with the pre- and post-game spots.
Credits
Creative Director
Kev McCrae
Executive Producer
Chris Smith
Supervising Producer
Sean Kelly
Junior Production Coordinator
Liam Pert
CG Supervisor
Drew Robertson
VFX Supervisor
Olaf Blomerus
Animation
Luke Angus
Editor and Motion Graphics
Ross Sneddon
Lighter and Compositor
Abby Barr
Previz, Lighting and CG Generalist
Craig Simmers
FX Artist
Adam Priester
Compositor
Robert Gittings