Super League to run adverts on ITV

Super League have launched a new television advertising campaign to promote the start of the new season.

Following on from the Extraordinary Rugby campaign towards the end of last season, a specially-commissioned advert featuring some of the game's biggest stars will be shown in the Granada and Yorkshire television regions on ITV.

The 60-second ad is the latest phase in the campaign, showcasing the talents of players to millions of viewers, including during FA Cup football matches on ITV later this month.

Super League marketing consultant Matt Lowery said: "The TV advertising campaign will expose the stars of Super League to a whole new audience.

“It’s easy for some fans to take what they see on the pitch in a Super League match for granted: the ad is designed to convey the message that this really is a sport played by extraordinary athletes who are extraordinarily skilful, with great speed and energy.

“Rugby League is a fast-paced, physical game that is hard to rival anywhere in sport. 

“The ad builds on the breakthroughs we experienced with the viral video which was a great internet success last autumn and I am sure it will be well received by all who see it."

The first time the new ad will be seen is during ITV’s live coverage of the Stoke City v Manchester City tie on Saturday January 26 (kick-off 12.45pm) and then again on Sunday January 27 during live coverage of Oldham v Liverpool (kick-off 4.00pm).

The ad will also be broadcast during the FA Cup highlights programme on the evening of Saturday January 26. Other spots will be spread through the week up to Friday February 1.

The advertisement features a range of Super League players, including England stars Tom Briscoe (Hull FC), Eorl Crabtree (Huddersfield Giants), James Roby (St Helens) and Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors).

The aim of the campaign is to take the excitement of Rugby League to a wider audience.

Research conducted following the ‘Rugby League of the Extraordinary’ online and poster campaign around last season’s Super League Grand Final has indicated it was successful in changing the perception of non-Rugby League fans and increasing their likelihood to attend matches in the future.

For more information and videos from the campaign visit www.extraordinaryrugby.com/