Grandmama returns to the neighborhood in new Converse brick house commercial.

NORTH READING, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1995--In his new 30-second Converse television commercial, Charlotte Hornets' power forward Larry Johnson demonstrates that "Grandmama" can take on the tough guys in the neighborhood gym.

The debut of Johnson is his eighth appearance as "Grandmama," is particularly significant as Johnson, a member of the 1995 NBA All-Star Team, has dazzled sports fans and critics with his dynamic performance this year.

Known as "Brick House," the new Converse commercial debuts nationally February 20 and runs through March 12 on MTV, BET and in 21 major markets that include: Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland (OR) and San Francisco.

She's the Man 

The spot opens on a lively neighborhood. When Grandmama comes cruising down the street in her vintage pink Cadillac, complete with fuzzy basketball dice hanging from the rearview mirror and GMAMA vanity plates, all the neighborhood kids run after the car in hot pursuit of their favorite "Grandmama."

"She's the man," says one young boy adoringly, as Grandmama drives to her favorite neighborhood gym. With her LJ basketball shoes slung over her shoulder, Grandmama enters the gym to the classic Commodores' hit "Brick House." Grandmama proceeds to put on a show for Johnson and his buddies who sit on the sideline bench taking in all of the action, as she plays with the hot shots of the gym, slamming and jamming to the funky rhythm and lyrics of "Brick House." "I told y'all," Johnson reminds his buddies, "Stay out of the lane when Granny's driving."

In the Brick House spot, Grandmama wears the new LJ Shoe from Converse, designed specifically for Johnson. The LJ Shoe features visible REACT technology in the ankle and heel units and a unique lightweight outsole design with a gold tooth, similar to Johnson's. A sleek removable lace cover provides courtside distinction for the power player. Recently delivered to stores nationwide, the LJ has a suggested retail price of $90.00.

"This fall, Converse conducted a nationwide survey among young men between the ages of 14 and 21 and over 80 percent of the respondents said they were eagerly looking forward to seeing the next Grandmama commercial," said Senior Vice President of Marketing Robert Goehrke. "Another amazing response we obtained was that over 90 percent of the young men surveyed were aware of the 'Grandmama' character."

The Brick House spot was developed by Converse advertising agency-of-record, Houston Effler Herstek Favat of Boston with Senior Producer Scott Hainline and Creative Directors Rich Herstek and Pete Favat and Associate Creative Directors Mike Wilson and Mickey Paxton developing the concept. The commercial was produced by Melody Films, Burbank, Calif. Charles Wittenmeier was the director and Rick Fishbein was the producer.

Converse, the largest U.S. manufacturer of athletic footwear, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality athletic and leisure footwear and is a licenser of sports apparel and accessories that are distributed worldwide through over 9,000 athletic specialty, sporting goods, department and shoe stores. Converse is the official shoe of the (a) NBA and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

(a) NBA is the registered trademark of NBA Properties Inc.

CONTACT: Converse

Jennifer Murray, 508/664-7521

or

Helene Fletcher, 508/664-7509