Hollywood, The Beatles, the Super Bowl...and H&R Block?

http://www.accountingweb.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=69026&d=659&h=660&f=661

Hollywood, The Beatles, the Super Bowl…and H&R Block?

On Sunday February 3, H&R Block will enter the elite ranks of American businesses who have selected the Super Bowl as the venue of choice to kick their advertising campaign into high gear.

Block’s first-ever Super Bowl foray will consist of a 30 second commercial, directed by Hollywood’s Coen brothers (Fargo, Raising Arizona) and will be punctuated by the Beatle’s hit tune “The Tax Man”, “a perfect fit” says H&R Block Chief Marketing Officer David Byers.

The commercial, the biggest advertising production ever for H&R Block, is a 30-second look at the confusing world of new tax laws to be rolled out over the next decade. The ad, shot in Los Angeles, communicates that turning to H&R Block for answers is “just plain smart.” Production of the advertisement included 97 actors, 60 crew members, and more than 8,000 feet of film that was edited to 45 feet for the final spot.

In addition to the Super Bowl commercial, the company’s sponsorship will include five spots in the pre-game show, and sole sponsorship of the 4:00-4:30 p.m. pre-game show which features the “H&R Block of the Season.”

Better set your VCRs now . . .