Golf Star Brooks Koepka Attempts a Crazy Hudson River Shot for Michelob Ultra

Brooks Koepka, the 2018 PGA Championship winner, ranks among golf’s premier shot makers. But can he hit a 20-foot target floating on a barge in the Hudson River, amid gusty winds, from the top of a hill 120 feet away above Governor’s Island? 

He gets three chances. If he succeeds, New Yorkers get a rebate on beer. 

Koepka accepted the challenge from Michelob Ultra a week ago, and his efforts were immortalized in a brand video. Does he make the shot? Hey, it’s an ad, so … 

Of course he makes the shot! Was there ever any doubt? (Now, after a few brewskis the outcome might have been in question.) 

PR agency 3PM devised the stunt ahead of the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black Club in Farmingdale, N.Y. 

As part of the promotion, this Thursday, NYC residents can visit four participating midtown bars from 3-6 p.m. and receive a free Ultra. Or they can purchase an Ultra six-pack and upload their receipts for a $5 pre-paid card. 

If golf’s not your bag (nice transition!), Michelob has launched another celebrity tie-in with Colombia-born music star Maluma. In the clip below from VMLY&R Miami, we see the artist recording and partying with friends. There’s no golf whatsoever, but his sound packs a smooth Latin swing: 

Some might recall Maluma from his cameo in Ultra’s Super Bowl ad, “Robots.”

His latest appearance for the brand arrives as sales have begun bubbling up, and the brewer “looks to reach new audiences and passion points,” including U.S. Hispanic consumers, in order to “maintain its growth trajectory,” a company rep said. 

CREDITS

—Brooks Koepka
Creative: 3PM
Production: Malka Media

—Maluma
Advertising Agency:  VMLY&R Miami
VP ECD: Federico Hauri
CD: Ricardo Lopera
Sr. Art Director:  David Uribe
VP Strategic Planning:  Marcelo Perrone
Account Supervisor:  Patty Velez
Director Audio Visual Content Production:  Danny De Cespedes
Production Business Affairs/Talent Management: Kevin Van Dina

Michelob ULTRA Vice President of Marketing, Azania Andrews  
Michelob ULTRA Senior Brand Director, Marcela Garcia
Michelob ULTRA Brand Manager, Rebecca Chen

Production Company: KREE8
Director:  Simon Brand
Post Production & VFX: Vapor Post
Editor:  Alex Dondero
Color Correction:  Company 3
Colorist: Tyler Roth
Music Mix: Makeabeat Productions