FCB scrums down for rugby development

First National Bank's marketing partner, FCB Johannesburg, has devised a new television commercial to demonstrate the bank's support for South Africa rugby development. The 40 second commercial - conceptualised by the creative team of Ashley Bacon, Ulric Charteris and Jean-Roux Bezuidenhout - features 20 school boy players aged between 10 and 11 years, as well as Francois Pienaar, captain of the South African rugby team that won the World Cup in 1995, FNB employees and a member of the 2011 World Cup Rugby Bid Committee.

According to FCB Johannesburg business unit director of the FNB business Louise Johnston, the bank has invested over R40 million in South African rugby at all levels, but predominantly in areas that foster the development of future players.

"Most sponsors only become involved in arts and culture or a sporting discipline, for example, at the time of a major event such as, in rugby's case, an international tour or the Rugby World Cup. FNB, however, doesn't believe writing cheques at times like these assists the sport achieve its long-term goals.

"FNB is of the opinion that sponsorship should look beyond the so-called "glory events" and look to the future instead of the now. That is why its commitment to SA Rugby is now in its 5th year, and why a large portion of its investment is geared towards fostering the sport at school and tertiary education levels. Not only will this assist SA Rugby develop players for the future, but that these will be players with brawn and brains," she says.

The commercial was shot at the JG Meiring school in Cape Town and was directed by Michael Middelton of Peter Gird Productions.