 Miles
Thirst - Pint-sized pitchman (doll) with a boisterous hip-hop attitude
(like comedian Chris Rock) who appeared on a series of Sprite ad spots that
began airing nationally on TV and radio in 2004. Reminiscent of 1970s martial
arts legend
Jim Kelly and Clarence Williams III Lincoln
"Linc" Hayes) from the 1960s cop show MOD SQUAD, Mile Thirst is ever
cool as he wears sunglasses, gold chains and appropriately styled clothes - from
baggy jeans to fancy fur-trimmed coats. Thirst, (a.k.a. "The Sprite Guy")
concludes each commercial by shouting "Show 'em my motto" ("mah mah-toe"). The
motto, of course, is "Obey Your Thirst," the longstanding ad slogan for the
thirst-quenching lemon-lime soft drink Sprite, a Coca-Cola product.
The Miles Thirst campaign was created by WPP Group's Ogilvy & Mather of New
York. It debuted in the spring of 2004. In his first commercials, Miles hangs
out with his friends on a city stoop on a hot summer day and watches two
attractive young women stroll by; tours NBA rookie star LeBron James crib
(apartment) and encounters the wonders a Sprite vending machine; in the kitchen;
and goes to a movie theater and happily shares his Sprite with two women who
occupy the seats on either side of him.
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| Miles overshadowed by a Sprite soda machine |
Miles sharing his Sprite with two lovely ladies |
Later spots in 2005 had Miles race through a crowded room in an attempt to
snatch the last Sprite soda left at a party; and battle a group of Asian martial
arts fighters. In that spot, he wears a green kung-fu outfit and strikes a
defensive pose as he warns his attackers "Don't mess with a brother's Sprite."
Quickly, Miles kicks his opponents butts and then tells them "All you had to do
was ask." Of course, Miles ends the spot with his signature catchphrase "Show 'em
my motto."
In a USA Today (4/26/2004) interview with Theresa Howard actor Reno Wilson (Lt.
Tom Selway on ABC's BLIND JUSTICE) who provides to the voice to Miles Thirst
said Miles "got the afro going and the glasses going, and he's got a little
flavor and fashion sense. I immediately understood who this dude was. If you
were 10 inches tall, you would have a loud voice because you're always talking
up to people and trying to get noticed." Another reviewer, described the Miles
Thirst campaign a "one of those ads where you either love 'em or hate 'em."
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Miles Thirst's casual and hip fashions |
In 2005, MSN and Sprite joined forces to launch "The Scenario"
(http://music.msn.com/thescenario),
an online entertainment experience designed for teens and hosted by Miles
Thirst. The site featured Miles Thirst who recommends the latest music from top
DJs around the country like Big Tigger, DJ Spooky and Tony Touch; and gives
visitors the ability to connect with each other via MSN Messenger.
In the summer of 2005, Miles Thirst participated in Spike TV's "Tricked Out Ride
Sweepstake" with Jessi Combs of Spike TV's Extreme 4x4. The winner received
tricked out Honda Civic. Miles also appeared at the NBA All-Star weekend and has
been a guest VJ on MTV.
TRIVIA NOTE: The actual Miles Thirst character is an 10-inch vinyl doll
(action-figure) equipped with detachable arms, legs and heads with different facial expressions to create
about 30 different poses. The popularity of the Miles Thirst doll has created a
demand from the public to own their very own Miles Thirst doll.
External Links
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