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Soup is on; linemen star in Ben's absence
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The Campbell's Chunky Soup commercial that was to feature Ben Roethlisberger and his stepmother, Brenda, will be filmed as planned today, but different Steelers will play starring roles in the advertisement in the wake of his motorcycle accident Monday.
John Faulkner, an executive for Campbell's Soup Co., said yesterday that the commercial shoot would take place today at Heinz Field as scheduled and that the Roethlisbergers are no longer part of the commercial. A handful of the quarterback's teammates, instead, will take on bigger roles.
"Obviously, Ben and his mom will not be a part of the commercial," Faulkner said. "We've reshuffled some of the creative elements of the commercial. We've reworked it."
Faulkner said Campbell's is exploring opportunities where Roethlisberger and his stepmother could promote the company in other ways and did not rule out future commercials involving the two. He said it was not realistic to shoot the parts of the other Steelers this week and then Roethlisberger and his stepmother later.
Four members of the Steelers' offensive line -- Alan Faneca, Jeff Hartings, Kendall Simmons and Max Starks -- and defensive lineman Casey Hampton will now have starring rather than supporting roles.
Faulkner said he was unaware of any other player joining the commercial shoot to replace Roethlisberger. The $2 million shoot will take place at Heinz Field over the course of a week and employ 55 to 60 people, including a local crew. It is the latest in Chunky Soup's Mama's Boys campaign that has featured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb since 2001.
Chunky Soup also will film two other commercials as part of its series, with McNabb and Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and their moms. All three will be aired starting the week of Sept. 7.
First Published June 14, 2006 12:00 am
