For Gatorade's 2025 Player of the Year Award finalists, I developed the original creative concept and art direction of bringing together the nation's top high school athletes into class portraits. Inspired by the tradition of a class photo, the idea transformed the finalist announcement into a defining brand moment, celebrating the collective achievements of an extraordinary class while elevating the prestige of the Player of the Year program.
The success of the concept laid the foundation for Gatorade's 2026 campaign, with the brand choosing to evolve the team photo into an annual franchise. By building on the original vision, the campaign established a recognizable tradition that celebrates each year's class while creating a lasting visual legacy for one of high school sports' highest honors.
Year 2025
Creative Director: Ernest Baker
Art Director: Ben Cadwell
Senior Copy Writer: Drew Ruiz
Photographer: Ryan Young
Year 2026
Creative Director: Adam Valley
Art Director: Joe Chong
Senior Copy Writer: Jason Saimpy
Photographer: Sage East