The University’s game day TV spot this fall will feature the Chapel Bell, an R.E.M. song and maybe even you.
A group of University alumni have donated their time and skills to produce the new commercial featuring hundreds of student and alumni extras.

“What happened is, I think like a lot of Georgia alumni, I was disappointed with the UGA TV spot,” said alumnus Mike Martin, creative director of the commercial. “Rather than be a voice of criticism, I wanted to do something about it.”

Martin and a core group of three other production professionals are working to create a new commercial, first to air on Sept. 3 during the Boise State football game.

The production team is calling for students and alumni to be part of the filming June 16.

The commercial will feature a line of people standing alongside the Chapel Bell to show a cross-section of University students and alumni.

Martin said the group is looking for between 200 and 300 people.

The process began when Martin posted a thread on LinkedIn to see if other alumni were interested in getting involved and was surprised when the group received more than 1,000 comments.

The group approached Tom Jackson, vice president for public affairs, about producing the TV spot.

“We put out a call for bids and they were the low bid because so much of it was donated time,” Jackson said.

Martin said the idea of using the R.E.M. song, “Oh My Heart,” came when he and the group heard the song while working on the project in a coffee shop.

“I heard the song and it was so perfect for a concept,” he said.

After approaching R.E.M. about using the song, Martin said they were willing to donate its use.

“They really loved it because they love Athens so much and they wanted it to be a celebration of the University and the town of Athens,” he said.

Jackson said he expected feedback on this year’s spot to be more positive than last year.

“It wasn’t very positive last year, so we’re hoping it will be better this year.”

The TV spot will be shown at football games,  basketball games and other sporting events.

Martin said many college commercials show generic images of professors holding test tubes and students throwing frisbees on campus.

The group has instead chosen to showcase what makes the University and Athens special.

“We want people to choke up a little bit and be proud of being a Bulldog,” he said.

TV SPOT

Those interested can email ugacasting@gmail.com with name, age, ethnicity and relationship to the University for more information.