Ravens’ Rice Dropped from M&T Bank Ad Campaign
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, the subject of a high-profile domestic violence case, is no longer part of the M&T Bank ad campaign which began airing TV spots this week. Instead, Head Coach John Harbaugh and Ravens President Dick Cass are seen in the spokesman role.
“Our campaign is focused on teamwork and celebrating that teamwork,” Betsey Locke, M&T’s group vice president for advertising and sponsorships, told The Baltimore Sun; adding that the bank in May extended its naming rights and sponsorship agreement with the Ravens – it’s a $60 million, 10-year deal. “Our partnership with the Ravens has been a great example of the power of teamwork. We have been able to do great things for the community. This gave us a great opportunity to talk about that partnership.”
Rice took on the M&T spokesperson role before the 2010 season, as part of the bank’s “Raise the Green Flag” campaign. The creative is handled by Crowley Webb, a Buffalo-based ad agency that has worked with M&T for 25 years.
