Wahlberg continues to branch out

Ladbrokes has chosen a familiar face for its next ad campaign in Australia. American actor Mark Wahlberg is the newest ambassador for the betting company, taking part in a new marketing push on the continent. A teaser trailer released this past week with the full ad set to air on Sunday.

Wahlberg filmed the ad while recently in Australia. Along with being an actor (and rapper in his early career using the stage name “Marky Mark”) he is also a producer and an investor. The Hollywood star has connections in the region as he recently invested in the fitness franchise F45 Training and plans to bring the popular Wahlburgers hamburger chain to the locals as well.

A little silliness

Last December, Wahlberg flew to Australia and worked on the new Ladbrokes ad campaign. First, though, he had to complete 14 days of quarantine before shooting could begin. The actor spent his isolation in Byron Bay.

“Mike Iceberg,” the company’s new Chief Entertainment Officer

After filming started, it took five full days to complete the project. In the campaign, Wahlberg is playing the role of “Mike Iceberg,” the company’s new Chief Entertainment Officer. He uses the phrase “Ladbroke It,” which the company uses to boost the hype for its gambling products.

In the teaser, Wahlberg is in a golf cart, dressed in a white suit. He is wearing tinted glasses and holding a mobile device that says “Ladbroke It!” in bright red. The actor seems very serious until he screams the tagline and a huge explosion erupts behind him.

While the campaign is lighthearted and shows the fun side of gambling, it also provides messages to the viewer regarding responsible gambling and player protection.

Jamie Foxx signs with BetMGM

Mark Wahlberg is not the only celebrity to team up with a gambling brand recently. Back in September 2020, BetMGM announced that it had signed Jamie Foxx as its latest ambassador. The dual Academy and Grammy Award winner is the star of The King of Sportsbooks campaign for the brand.

The company features Foxx in both traditional ads as well as on social media. BetMGM considers the campaign the next step in the evolution of the brand and chose Foxx to highlight his entertaining storytelling ability. The company worked with 72andSunny, a creative agency in New York to create the advertisements for the campaign.