SMAD Alumnus Produces Winning Super Bowl Commercial

Posted by SMAD February 7, 2012
By Staff

Jonathan Friedman (SMAD '94) is the winner of a $1 million prize for his Super Bowl commercial. Friedman's commercial, Man's Best Friend, was one of just two consumer-created commercials selected by online voters in the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest. Those winners were shown during the Super Bowl and became eligible for the $1 miillion prize sponsored by USA TODAY.

The commercial was produced for just $20. It was selected by a panel of consumers who were gathered during the game. They rated Friedman's commercial as the top spot among all commercials shown - many of them produced with huge budgets and mega stars.

Friedman's commercial starred Huff the Great Dane and friend Derek Leonidoff (also a JMU alumnus). Derek plays a witness as Huff buries the family cat and bribes him to keep mum by offering a Doritos bribe.

After graduation from JMU with his major in SMAD, Friedman worked in video production and graphic design. Today he owns Frame 25 Productions, a web and graphic design company based in Virginia Beach.

Congratulations to Jonathan, Derek and Huff!

Doritos Entries: http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com
HamptonRoads.com: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/va-beach-man-wins-1m-super-bowl-doritos-ad
USA TODAY Story: http://usat.ly/xSb4QZ
Frame 25 Productions: http://www.frame25productions.com