Pepsi Max hails heroes on and off the pitch

The softdrinks giant Pepsi Max has launched a new series of shorts and a TV commercial that celebrate football and music proving that, like their slogan, "Now is what you make it."

”The “NOW” campaign is set to air in nearly 100 countries. Starring the impressive 2014 Pepsi MAX all-star football lineup – Robin van Persie, David Luiz, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Agüero, Jack Wilshere and four-time player of the year, Leo Messi – the spot fuses the world of football and music through extraordinary singer / songwriter / producer Janelle Monáe as she performs an exclusive, fresh take of David Bowie’s iconic classic “Heroes”, available today on iTunes worldwide. 

Argentina Captain Leo Messi comments, “Pepsi celebrates the passion and energy of football fans. It is a mesmerizing anthem, uniting us all – on the street or on a pitch – in a celebration of the moment.”

The campaign holds many surprises as it meanders through the streets of Rio and is told through the eyes of digital beat sensation, Stony – an everyday hero – proving that every day can become extraordinary when you live for now. With the instantly recognizable sound of the Pepsi MAX can as the starting point, Stony takes fans through a colorful, rhythmic journey uniting football, music and art. The intertwined story ends with an electric culmination where Stony steps into an urban pitch filled with a crowd of fans united in a spontaneous moment of celebration.

Much like sports unite the world through friendly competition, Stony unites famous footballers, the city of Rio and Janelle with a simple beat to create a passion that is irresistible. 

“I love everything the film stands for. To me, it is all about that extraordinary burst of courage and passion which can embolden everyday people in a moment of spontaneity, which is also the message of David Bowie’s venerable song," said Monáe. “I was honored to join Pepsi for this campaign and remind people that now more than ever, we can all be heroes.”

The interactive film of the commercial provides an immersive viewing experience, with a series of original moments for fans to unlock. The “now” is put directly into the hands of the fan, unlocking additional interactive content to delve deeper into Stony’s tour through the streets of Rio – allowing them to create their own experience. 

The “Now Is What You Make It” global commercial and interactive film are the latest pieces of exciting and engaging content to be released from Pepsi MAX as part of its 2014 football campaign, which kicked off in January with the unveiling of its largest-ever, international football squad. It also follows the announcement of the brand’s creative art collection, “The Art of Football.” The yearlong campaign will continue to bring more experiences to fans throughout the year – bringing them closer to the game they love.

For more information on Pepsi MAX and “Live For Now” visit www.Pepsi.com and follow the conversation online with #FutbolNow.