Merman's Lev Pakman Directs Arch Manning for Warby Parker
“People said I don’t look like your average football player,” says Arch Manning tossing a ball and wearing glasses in a new commercial for Warby Parker. The playful spot is part of a campaign launching a three-year partnership between the eyewear brand and the Texas Longhorn quarterback. A glasses wearer since age three—and Warby Parker wearer since middle school—Manning has long depended on prescription eyewear to help him see.
The spot features an archive photo album of Manning as a child wearing glasses, including inside his football helmet. His father Cooper Manning, host of The Manning Hour for Fox Sports, makes an appearance, commenting about his son: “He had more of an accountant look.”
The lighthearted campaign was directed by Lev Pakman, a filmmaker on the roster of Merman, the global commercial and entertainment company that produced the spot. Pakman is much sought after for his comedy commercial work. He has directed commercials for brands like GEICO, Samsung, Kraft Heinz, T-Mobile, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, The Glenlivet, Ajinomoto and Captain Morgan. He worked on ESPN’s famous Monday Night Football C’MON MAN campaign, as well as directed high-profile athletes like pro golfer Maverick McNealy in an AT&T Business short doc for Callaway Golf.
The Warby Parker ad and content featuring Manning and his father broke this past weekend during the Texas Longhorns' first game of the season and Manning’s debut as starting quarterback. Over the next three years, this partnership will feature the introduction of new eyewear collections, local Austin initiatives with Warby Parker’s school-based vision program, Pupils Project, and more. For more information: warbyparker.com/arch-manning.
“As someone who spent their entire life wearing glasses, teaming up with Warby Parker felt like a very natural fit,” says Arch Manning. “They’ve always been my go-to glasses—I have a pair for every part of my life—and their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program really resonates with me.”
“Arch is an exceptional athlete whose great vision extends beyond the field,” adds Warby Parker co-founder and co-CEO Neil Blumenthal. “He’s been a customer for years, and now we’re excited to officially have him on our team. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”
Production Credits:
WARBY PARKER
Huntley Rodes, VP Brand Marketing
Jacqueline Waterer, Sr. Brand Marketing Manager
Sarah Veurink, Brand Marketing Specialist
Creative
Alison Riley, Creative Director
Ben Gable, Director of Copy
Sarah Olin, Senior Art Director
Social
Nicole Mills, Director of Social
Production
Pietro Clemente, Executive Producer
MERMAN BRANDED
Lev Pakman, Director
Ellen Clarke, Global Managing Partner
Jessica Miller, Executive Producer
Cathleen Sutherland, Producer
Shane Kelly, Director of Photography
GOOD LOOK
Charlie Porter, Editor
