RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Monday, September 26, 2016) - There are few things better after an epic surf than exchanging stories around the bonfire with your mates and a Corona, especially when it's with pro surfers and Corona ambassadors Matt ‘Wilko' Wilkinson and Julian Wilson.
Every surfer has a story of giant waves, unusual encounters and lucky escapes. Launching today in partnership with the World Surf League (WSL), the 4-minute short-film ‘Weird Mike' featuring Wilko and Julian shares an unexpected encounter between a group of friends and a mysterious storyteller. Surfing between reality and imagination, viewers are taken on a journey that leaves them asking "was any of it real?". Maybe. Maybe not.
In the short-film, Wilko and Julian not only surf, but also play an active role in bringing the ‘Weird Mike' story to life. Joined by Wilko's girlfriend Anna Jordan, the film was shot in Warriewood Beach in New South Wales by Director Ben Saunders, who is also an avid surfer.
On his involvement in the film, Wilko says: "It was a cool project to be a part of, especially because it was a new experience for me. I love that Corona is doing something different. It was also really cool to have my girlfriend Anna involved."
"When we set out to make this short-film, we wanted to try something different. Something that could incorporate our surf ambassadors in a unique way that could also be entertaining to the surf community." Says Thiago Zanettini, Global VP Corona at Anheuser-Busch InBev. "The Weird Mike short-film is just one way we're exploring the after-surf space and the moments that can happen when you're hanging with your mates after an epic surf."
In addition to Wilko and Julian, the film is further supported by Alejo Muniz and Coco Ho, who are also Corona ambassadors. The group of WSL athletes were selected because they embody the lifestyle promoted in Corona's new global brand positioning ‘This Is Living,' that reminds people to spend more time outside living moments that matter.
The World Surf League and Corona announced its multi-year partnership agreement in March, making Corona the Official Beer of the WSL globally, with the exception of the U.S. market. Continuing through to 2018, the partnership sees the WSL and Corona working together on consumer and customer activations in all key markets aligning Corona's authentic and unpretentious lifestyle with the WSL's mission of putting the world's best surfers on the world's best waves. Corona aims to engage surf fans with compelling original content, such as ‘Weird Mike', exciting on-site activations like the Corona Sunsets festivals, and corporate social responsibility initiatives at some of the most exotic and remote locations on the planet.
Fans can watch the film now on Corona's YouTube page: https://youtu.be/bOx6M5gyCAY
+++
ABOUT CORONA
Born in Mexico and brought up on the beach, Corona is the leading beer brand in Mexico, the 6th most valuable beer brand in the world*, and the most popular Mexican beer worldwide, with sales in more than 130 countries. Corona Extra was first brewed in 1925 at the Cervecería Modelo in Mexico City. Corona is the perfect complement to life's simple pleasures. The golden colour, light refreshing flavor and iconic hand painted bottle, topped off with a freshly squeezed lime.
*SOURCE: 2015 BrandZ™ Global 100 Most Valuable Brands
ABOUT WORLD SURF LEAGUE
The World Surf League (WSL), formerly the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), is dedicated to celebrating the world's best surfing on the world's best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a truly global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.
The WSL has been championing the world's best surfing since 1976, running global events across the Samsung Galaxy Men's and Women's Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels.
Showcasing the world's best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Mick Fanning, John John Florence, Stephanie Gilmore, Greg Long, Gabriel Medina, Carissa Moore, Makua Rothman, Kelly Slater, Adriano de Souza and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
CONTACT
WIEDEN+KENNEDY AMSTERDAM - Claire Beesley / Claire.beesley@wk.com
WORLD SURF LEAGUE (WSL) - Dave Prodan / dprodan@worldsurfleague.com / (310) 450-1212
ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV - Karen Couck / Karen.Couck@AB-InBev.com