Ryan Reynolds may be a super hero in Hollywood, but to his home country of Canada, he’s the voice of a nation. Reynolds returns in a second spot to voice Air Canada’s ad featuring the diversity of the country’s Olympic athletes.
On the heels of flying 750 members of the Canadian Olympic Team to PyeongChang, South Korea for the Winter Olympics, Air Canada celebrates Team Canada with the launch of a new ad, titled ‘Our Time,’ which will be featured during the broadcast of the opening ceremony.
The ad portrays values of multiculturalism, compassion and equality as it shows Canadians doing very Canadian things, like playing hockey and skiing. It then turns to display the diversity of its citizens and athletes. As Reynolds says in the voiceover, “we find strengths in our differences,” and voices unity for all Canadians, a call to all to bring people of diverse backgrounds together.
“I saw myself and my family in this script,” said Reynolds. “This is my experience of being Canadian, and the experience I want for my daughters. To be proud of where they come from, and of the values shared by all Canadians that are expressed in this ad. I also want them to be able to cheer for Team Canada (and their mother’s team, if she asks you what I said).”
Added Andy Shibata, managing director, brand at Air Canada. “Canada has a lot to offer the world. From our inspiring people to our country's highly respected reputation, Team Canada represents the nation's values when they fly the flag in competition. In ‘Our Time’ we celebrate those athletes as they show the world what we are made of.”
Additionally, Air Canada has agreements with six high-profile athletes who are featured in the out of home extension of the campaign, displaying in the Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver international airports. They include figure skaters Patrick Chan, flag bearers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir; hockey player Marie-Philip Poulin; freestyle skier (halfpipe) Cassie Sharpe; and Paralympic Para Nordic skier Mark Arendz.
The ad is part of a larger campaign Air Canada launched in December to celebrate their home. Air Canada has been a sponsor of Canada’s Olympic Team since 1988 and a sponsor of Canada’s Paralympic Team since 2007 and supports Team Canada.
