For the First Time Since a Run of Famous 90's Commercials, Shaquille O'Neal and Pepsi Team Up to Reimagine Skee-Lo's Hip-Hop Hit "I Wish"
PURCHASE, N.Y., Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pepsi® is continuing its 125th anniversary celebration by reuniting with Shaquille O'Neal – whose countless Pepsi commercials delighted and wowed consumers throughout the 90's – to unveil a brand-new commercial that highlights Pepsi Mini Cans as the perfect pairing for snack and mealtime occasions. In the new spot, Shaq wishes he was "a little bit smaller" when faced with the everyday perils of his larger-than-life size, to celebrate that Pepsi Mini Cans are always the perfect size.
The spot – titled "I Wish" – shows Shaq in various environments where a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't exactly work: from sitting comfortably in airplanes, to fitting in a bed properly without his feet hanging off, or just casually walking through doorways. The spot's emotion and humor are heightened thanks to a cameo appearance from Skee-Lo, who lays down updated lyrics to parody his famous 1995 hip-hop hit, "I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller." Drawing inspiration from past Pepsi and Shaq work – especially the "Big Slam" spot from 1994 – the amusing juxtaposition of a larger-than-life Shaq lamenting life's smaller situations doesn't stop him from showing love to Pepsi Mini Cans, proving that despite their small stature, Pepsi Minis are just right for any occasion.
"As a longtime partner of the brand, I always have a great time working with Pepsi. It was incredibly fun to create the 'I Wish' commercial, showing how things could be better if I were indeed a little bit smaller," said Shaquille O'Neal. "With Pepsi Mini Cans, I can enjoy every sip and appreciate the little things in life."
Starting on November 20, fans can post a photo of their favorite snack or meal and a Pepsi mini can on social media tagging #BetterWithPepsiMinis #Sweepstakes and @Pepsi to enter for a chance to win an Official NBA Basketball signed by Shaquille O'Neal. Fans should act fast to ensure they are one of the handful of lucky winners. No Purchase Necessary. U.S. res, 18+ (19+ for AL/NE). Ends 12/15/23. Rules: https://bit.ly/46DNAE4
Fans can watch the new commercial on the Pepsi YouTube channel right now here. Additionally, the commercial will air on linear television broadcast during select national NBA games on ESPN and TNT starting November 22, and during NBC's primetime NFL slate on November 23, Thanksgiving.
"In the 90s when my hit 'I Wish' first came out, it was all about 'bigger is better'—whether it was being taller, having larger t-shirts or shorts. Everyone in my neighborhood wanted to be a larger-than-life basketball star…but now we've got the biggest, baddest dude in the game, Shaq, to flip my song on its head and show how smaller is actually better with Pepsi Mini Cans!" said Skee-Lo.
"Pepsi and Shaq have a storied history with one another that has inspired a number of the creative elements within this new Pepsi Mini Cans campaign. We were also able to tap into 90's nostalgia with Skee-Lo's iconic "I Wish", while completely reimagining the track for today given the evolution we are seeing in consumer demand for smaller sized packages," said Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer – Pepsi. "We hope Pepsi fans will enjoy the song and commercial – especially the tall ones – as nobody is too big to enjoy the convenience, fun, and awesome taste of our Pepsi Mini Cans!"
Pepsi Mini Cans are readily available to consumers, offering 7.5-ounces of the same great taste in a more convenient size. Pepsi Mini cans are available in 6 and 10 packs in the following flavors: Original, Zero Sugar, Wild Cherry, Diet, and Real Sugar. Original and Wild Cherry are also available in a 30 pack.
To stay current on the latest news around the Pepsi 125th celebration, please follow Pepsi on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads (@Pepsi) or visit Pepsi.com/125 for more information.
Pepsi® Brand 125th Anniversary Campaign
Since its inception in 1898 in New Bern, N.C. Pepsi® has evolved into one of the most iconic global consumer brands and remains a staple of pop culture and consumer enjoyment. Now through December 31, Pepsi will celebrate its 125th anniversary over the course of the 125 days leading up to New Years Eve. #Pepsi125 will honor the brand's legacy, both past and present, while looking ahead to the next 125 years as the brand enters a new era with a celebrated new visual identity. To stay informed on the brand's 125th anniversary celebration, fans should follow Pepsi on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads (@Pepsi) and visit Pepsi.com for more.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
SOURCE PepsiCo Beverages North America