Deion Sanders goes nuts for California Almonds in campaign

California Almonds and sporting legend Deion Sanders demand you Own Your Prime in a playful new campaign produced by Bob Industries and directed by Tim K.

Comically on brand, the hero spot sees Sanders donning a large almond-shaped jewel around his neck in a mansion decked out with nut paraphernalia, from pillow cases to paintings. As a play on his ‘Coach Prime’ nickname, the star motivates viewers to own their prime with California Almonds, touting the exercise recovery benefits of the superfood.

Agency Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) found a seasoned brand ambassador in Deion, the star of numerous commercials over the years whose charm radiates off the screen. Jumping at the opportunity to direct the athlete turned coach, Tim K of Bob Industries joined the team to help them fine tune their vision for the campaign.

Presenting Tim K with a witty script, the agency wanted to lean towards over the top visuals while allowing Sanders to inject his own personality into the spot, music to Tim’s ears. An actual visual feast, the exaggerated set sees Sanders lounge lavishly in a mansion where almonds rain down at the pull of a cord. Production designer Richard Lasalle’s custom nut props also pack each frame with visual gags: ranging from the obvious (a bright almond ruby glaring out from around Sanders’ neck) to the subtle (the demure glint of an almond trophy), the Easter eggs demand a rewatch. By the end, even footballs themselves seem suspiciously shaped.

Tim K collaborated closely with SRG to prepare the various elements of the shoot prior to Sanders’ arrival, allowing the star to focus on conveying his famous charisma and comedic sensibility on screen. A full pre-light day and an extensive tech scout locking in every frame and camera move also meant they were raring to go when they arrived at each set, wasting no precious time with Coach Prime. Luckily, they found a location in Boulder with flexible homeowners that allowed them to move and mould the house to their nutty needs.