Tostitos

Tostitos and USO mini-documentary

THE MISSION

The Tostitos brand, in a joint effort with the USO, held the first-ever “Salute the Troops” Bowl, a one-of-a-kind college football experience with our fighting men and women on active duty in Baghdad, Iraq.

Legendary college football coaches Barry Switzer and Tommy Bowden were at the helm of two flag football teams composed of former college all stars and active military heroes in a gridiron match-up to celebrate the armed forces and provide a taste of home.

SCOPE

HD video production and post on location at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Iraq.  Navigate the unique logistics of production, shipping and travel on an active military base in a combat zone.

Manage important clients and vendors stretched across multiple time zones around the globe, during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Successful execution of a “first ever” HD video uplink from inside the gates of Camp Liberty to FOX in Glendale, AZ for national broadcast during halftime at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Additional game footage shot from an aerial lift suspended above the football field and secure the service of actor and Emmy winning narrator Keith David as voiceover.

NICK’S PERSONAL REFLECTION

It was an honor and privilege for me to meet our troops serving in Iraq and see first hand the pride they share in representing our country while spreading freedom and democracy in the Middle East. 

In Iraq, I felt like a kid that snuck into a million dollar movie set---except that the dangers are very real and the participants are not pampered actors.  These men and women warriors have true dedication to the mission and make real sacrifices every day in service to our country.  An enemy mortar attack we experienced on the base New Year’s Eve served as a vivid reminder.

Brian Bosworth, two-time Butkus award winner from the University of Oklahoma summed up his feelings to me in an interview on our last day together in Iraq:

“I didn’t just come here to play a football game…I came here to meet my heroes.”

AFTER ACTION REPORT

By General Ray Odierno-Commander, United States Forces-Iraq on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 4:24am

“On New Year's Day, the USO and Tostitos brought a great American New Year's Day Tradition to Iraq - a football bowl game.  Led by former coaches and college football greats teamed up with deployed members of the armed forces stationed at Camp Liberty in the first ever Salute the Troops Bowl.

I greatly appreciate the USO, Tostitos, the cheerleaders, coaches and players who gave of their time and energy to boost the morale of our troops to bring a great grid-iron tradition to Iraq.”

Photos by Fred Greaves/USO and Nick Bliobenes