MasterCard Worldwide (NYSE:MA) today unveiled its latest campaign featuring Indianapolis Colts’ star quarterback Peyton Manning. “Priceless Pep Talks from Peyton Manning” is a series of tongue-in-cheek vignettes in which Manning appears on a practice field extolling satirical life lessons for fans.

For the first time in Manning’s multi-year relationship with MasterCard – which dates back to 2004 – fans can interact with the campaign by visiting priceless.com/peptalks, where they can personalize one of 12 Pep Talks from Manning and email the video to someone they know. The vignettes range from motivating advice on driving a minivan to counseling a friend on starting a new job or wishing them a happy birthday.

The first two spots in the series, “Social Life” and “Spouse Fight,” will debut on the nationally-televised National Football League (NFL) season opener between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, September 6, on the NBC Television Network. Others from the series will air periodically on sports and non-sports programming and online media throughout the season.

“Over the past few years, consumers have recognized how our spots with Peyton have blended his charm and keen sense of timing with his self-effacing humor,” said Amy Fuller, Group Executive, Americas Marketing for MasterCard Worldwide. “In fact, when we launch new creative featuring him, we typically see a surge of traffic to priceless.com to view the spots and behind-the-scenes footage. We knew consumers wanted to actively engage with the campaign, which is why we’re now making it possible for them to do just that with Priceless Pep Talks.”

Between 2004 and 2006, MasterCard featured Manning in five television spots, four of which featured him in his popular role of ‘fan of the fans.’

“I’ve really enjoyed the reaction from fans over the last few years on my participation in the MasterCard spots,” said Manning. “The shoots have been great and they gave me a chance to get into ‘character’ and just let loose. As a fan myself, I think being able to e-mail a friend a personalized message is a fun new twist."

Two spots break during broadcast of season opener:

In “Social Life,” Manning attempts to help out the socially inept by enlisting a teammate (Derek) to demonstrate a few dance moves that should prove useful when out on the town.

“Social life in the dumps?” Manning asks. “Maybe what you need is a few new dance moves. Hey Derek, show ‘em what you got.”

At this point Manning’s teammate Derek begins his dance but is quickly told to shut it down when Peyton thinks he is going a bit too far. “Alright stop. Stop, that’s enough. Seriously, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”

In “Spouse Fight,” Manning plays the role of relationship counselor, “Heard you and the spouse had a big fight. Okay, it happens.”

Manning then jokingly suggests talking through the issues the way he and his teammates do, “Well here’s how the guys and I handle it in the locker room. First, we all sit cross-legged in what we call the friendship circle. Then we just share our thoughts and listen to each other’s feelings.”

At the conclusion of the spot, Manning quickly dismisses this notion and offers a common football resolution as a means to help out the arguing couple, “No, we don’t do any of that stuff. We’re football players; usually we just tape the smallest guy to the goal posts and call it a day.”

Creative for the MasterCard "Priceless Pep Talks from Peyton Manning" campaign is handled by McCann Erickson/New York: Joyce King Thomas EVP, Chief Creative Officer, Matt O'Rourke, Group Creative Director, Mat Bisher, Senior Art Director, Jason Schmall, Senior Copywriter, Julie Andariese VP, Executive Producer.

MasterCard and Peyton Manning

MasterCard began its relationship with Peyton Manning with the 2004 debut of “On Vacation.” The brand then produced a series of television executions with Manning playing the role of ‘fan of the fans’ in “Everyday is Sunday” (2005); “Professional Fan/Professional Fan Part 2” (2005-06); and “Die Hard Peyton” (2006).

MasterCard Football Sponsorships

MasterCard enjoys sponsorship relationships with more than 20 local National Football League (NFL) teams. Today, 10 NFL stadiums are equipped to accept MasterCard® PayPass™. With PayPass, football fans make their purchases without fumbling for cash and quickly return to their seats to watch the game they came to see.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.