With the Rugby World Cup only weeks away, the Dublin-based creative agency JWT Folk has created “Ireland’s Ball” a unique rugby ball that celebrates the diverse fabric of modern Irish society.
Ireland’s Ball was created for Vodafone Ireland, the official sponsor of the Irish rugby team and a client of JWT Folk ahead of the team’s departure to Japan later in September.
As part of the Vodafone Team of Us campaign, the one-of-a-kind rugby ball celebrates the diverse fabric of modern Irish society, the inclusive nature of rugby and its power to unite people in Ireland. In partnership with Gilbert, they have created a world first ball grip that features the fingerprints of 32 people representing the 32 counties of Ireland. Ireland’s Ball will travel to Japan with the team as a symbol of the Team of Us support for Irish rugby from fans all across Ireland.
The 32 people selected to contribute their fingerprint to Ireland’s Ball represent Irish rugby fans from every corner of the country. In addition to the ball itself, JWT Folk have created a number of assets to showcase it, including a content series, social and digital assets, along with a newly launched video.
According to Vodafone’s Head of Sponsorship and Business Brand Gerry Nixon:“In the world cup year we’ve explored the inclusive nature of rugby in Ireland and how our #TeamOfUs sponsorship can play a key role in this. We are conscious that most fans won’t be able to travel to Japan, even though support exists in every corner of Ireland. Ireland’s Ball will carry the identity of people from all 32 counties showing this support and it will go all the way to Japan, so even though lots of fans can’t be there, they can be represented in this way”
Karl Waters Creative Partner from JWT Folk adds: “Through our latest strand of the Team of Us sponsorship we’ve explored how rugby can be inclusive and a unifier on the island of Ireland. Ireland’s Ball brings this to life in a really exciting way. We’ve created a symbol that represents people from the across the country, that can not only go to Japan but live in beyond there too.”
Credits
Client – Vodafone:
Head of Sponsorship and Business Brand – Gerry Nixon
Sponsorship Specialist, Brand and Communications – Jane Lawrence
Agency Credits
Creative Partner – Karl Waters
CEO – Abi Moran
Managing Director – Enda Kelly
Creative Director – Jonny Cullen
Creative – Michael Whelan
Creative – Jamie Whelan
Creative Technologist – Ed Leamy
Strategy – Rachel Haslam
Social & Content Strategy Director – Vivian Huynh
Account Director – Megan Kelly
Senior Account Manager – Lauren Murphy
Broadcast Director – Michael Cullen
Producer – Eric Brindley
