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New DraftKings ad features Kenny Rogers, singing fans, and one unhappy alligator

New DraftKings ad features Kenny Rogers, singing fans, and one unhappy alligator

Boston Globe24-03-2025

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The script was developed internally by DraftKings' marketing team, and the video was directed by Henry-Alex Rubin of Smuggler, a production company.
DraftKings chief marketing officer Stephanie Sherman said her company picked the Kenny Rogers song in part because it's beloved by so many people. It's the first time the company has used the song. In Rubin's words, it's fun and catchy and makes you smile.
'The song, we feel like it's a perfect fit,' she said. 'It really captures the spirt of fandom and fun, and bringing people together.'
Sherman confirmed that the production team used a real gator for the ad.
'That scene certainly was a tricky one,' she added. '[We] certainly had a trainer on site.'
In other words, no one wanted to gamble with the possibility of a toothy reptile run amok.
This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene.
Jon Chesto can be reached at

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