 A frame from Be Like Mike, depicting Michael Jordan playing basketball with a child. | |
| Agency | Bayer Bess Vanderwarker |
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| Client | Quaker |
| Language | English |
| Media | Television |
| Running time | 60 seconds |
| Product | |
| Release date(s) | August 8, 1991 |
| Slogan |
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| Music by | Ira Antelis, Steve Shafer |
| Starring | |
| Country | United States |
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Be Like Mike is a television advertisement for Gatorade starring American professional basketball player Michael Jordan. Created by advertising agency Bayer Bess Vanderwarker, it featured various children and adults playing basketball with Jordan, set to a song with lyrics about wishing one could be like the basketball player.
As the first Gatorade commercial to feature Jordan, the concept for Be Like Mike originated from advertisement executive Bernie Pitzel. Pitzel was inspired by the song "I Wanna Be Like You" from the Disney film The Jungle Book, but failed to secure the rights to use it. Instead, he wrote lyrics and hired Ira Antelis and Steve Shafer to compose the song that would become the background music for the advertisement.
Originally broadcast on August 8, 1991, the commercial was warmly received by the public. While the advertisement did not drastically improve sales for Gatorade, it helped to further portray Jordan as a likable superstar, endearing him to children who wished to emulate his play. In subsequent years, the advertisement has been cited as one of the best sports commercials ever.