So, I was going to write this blog on how Derrick Rose is a dream come true for the NBA, but damned if anyone knows how to properly market the kid. 

Derrick is a joy to watch and has brought back a certain excitement to basketball that’s been missing (at least in Chicago).  He just makes it all fun again. You would think marketing him would be easy.  But no one seems to be doing it in a way that’s memorable. 

I was going to talk about the Adidas spot that has him shooting a gun (yikes!) that triggers fireworks.  But mostly he’s just being overshadowed by someone I can only assume is a soccer player, since I have no idea who he is.

I was going to talk about how maybe he’s not naturally funny and charming, on camera he comes off a little uncomfortable and nervous, and how maybe that could be his hook. Give Derrick one funny thing to say, maybe a little under his breath and call it a day.  This worked pretty well for some ESPN and TNT ads.

TNT Spot

ESPN Spot

But the more I thought about it, and the more I watched, the harder it was to care a lick about marketing. It’s the playoffs now and it’s hard to wrap my mind around anything more than watching this team play great basketball.

At the end of the season I promise to give it more thought, but right now I’m just too darn excited to keep a clear head.

To leave this blog entry on a positive marketing note, I am including “5 Favorite Commercials with NBA Stars”…I only wish the one with Gheorghe Muresan was better quality, since it is awesome! Enjoy and GO BULLS!

The Popcorn Tape – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL5WnqWqkrY

Chicks Dig Cabbage – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9uaDiRlLBQ&feature=related

Do You Like Popsicles? – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIH8NrNeso&feature=related

The LeBrons – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnV6ND7PdvE

Shaqtastic! – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo0ncg-2zPY

And one with a picture of Chris Paul - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I44BF3R4rmU

Check out what Crain’s Chicago Business has to say about marketing D. Rose