Chicago Bulls Players to Feature in BMO Harris Bank’s New Ads for the First Time

BMO Harris Bank and Y&R Midwest have unveiled a new marketing campaign featuring Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls players in support of BMO Harris Bank’s debit cards for both teams.

The new advertising, which launches November 8, includes two 30-second spots and four 15-second spots airing throughout Chicago. This is the first time BMO Harris Bank has featured Chicago Bulls players in its advertising, and the third time BMO Harris has featured Chicago Blackhawks players.

The spots will launch on November 8. “Weekday” features Chicago Blackhawks players Patrick Kane, Andrew Shaw, Bryan Bickell, Brandon Saad and Corey Crawford as they follow a BMO Harris debit cardholder throughout his day. The principal actor in the spot with the players is Christian Madsen, son of Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen. Christian will also be featured in the upcoming feature film, Divergent, opening in March 2014.

In “Weekend,” Bulls players Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler follow a BMO Harris debit card owner throughout his daily routine, including breakfast, walking his dog, Lamaze class and having dinner.

“We’ve had an incredible partnership over the years with both the Bulls and the Blackhawks, and this year, we decided to do something special by featuring both teams in our advertising,” says Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President and Head of Brand, Advertising and Sponsorships for BMO Financial Group, North America. “These spots truly reflect the personalities of the players and our brand in a very special way, and they demonstrate BMO Harris Bank is more than a sponsor — we’re huge fans.”

“Working with these players was fantastic,” said Bill Cimino, Chief Creative Officer of Y&R Chicago. “The players were so willing to have fun and work hard for us and they really made it easy for us to bring out their best. Aligning the BMO Harris brand with these two iconic symbols of Chicago really works well for BMO Harris Bank.”