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Subway fields team of sports legends for new ad campaign

Sandwich brand taps Charles Barkley, Tom Brady, Stephen Curry, Megan Rapinoe and Serena Williams for ‘Eat Fresh’ promotion

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 13, 2021

2 Min Read
Subway Sports Legends Ad Campaign Eat Fresh Refresh
Subway has fielded a team of five big-name sports legends for its Eat Fresh Refresh ad campaign, on of the largest media investments by the sandwich brand.Subway

Subway has recruited five sports figures to help promote its new Eat Fresh Refresh menu launch, the company said Tuesday.

The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich company’s new ad campaign, which goes live this week and is considered one of the largest media investments by the brand, features athletic legends Charles Barkley, Tom Brady, Stephen Cury, Megan Rapinoe and Serena Williams to highlight the recently introduced menu launch.

"The Subway Eat Fresh Refresh campaign brings to life how much new we have on our menu and is a significant moment in the brand’s transformation journey,” said Carrie Walsh, Subway’s chief marketing officer, in a statement. “As such, one single creative execution or spokesperson wouldn’t have been enough.

“We developed a creative idea with a supporting cast of the biggest names in sports to share all of the great changes happening at Subway in a story that continues across multiple spots and formats,” Walsh said.

The ads are narrated by basketball great-turned-sports-analyst Barkley, dubbed “the new voice of Subway,” and feature two-time National Basketball Association most valuable player Curry, seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brady, tennis champion Williams and soccer great Rapinoe.

They are featured in television commercials as well as social and digital content, the company said.

“The effort is supported by one of the largest media investments in the brand’s history,” Walsh said. “In my almost 20 years in marketing, this is the most innovative campaign and media strategy that I’ve ever seen, and I am so excited to launch this unprecedented campaign.”

The Eat Fresh Refresh ad campaign was led by McGarryBowen, with media planning from Carat and activation supported by Current Global, Jack Morton, Proof Advertising and United Entertainment Group.

Subway has nearly 40,000 restaurants in 100 countries.

Contact Ron Ruggless at Ronald.Ruggless@Informa.com

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: Ronald.Ruggless@Informa.com

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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