Even more passionate than Shuzo Matsuoka!? Plushenko Cheering on Hanyu at P&G's New CM Launch Event

Procter & Gamble Japan held a new commercial launch event at EBiS303 Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, on November 15. As a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the P&G Group is running its "Official Sponsor of Moms" campaign globally, from the 2012 London Games to the 2020 Tokyo Games. In Japan, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu was appointed as the Japanese ambassador for the campaign during the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. The new commercial, "Thank You, Mom. Yuzuru Hanyu," will air starting November 17.

This worldwide campaign aims to inspire people to recognize the importance of their own families and mothers by depicting the strong bonds between Olympic athletes and their families. CM videos released for past Olympics have received high acclaim globally. Also starting on the 17th, the latest Japanese version of the global CM, "Thank You, Mom (Unwavering Mother's Love)," is scheduled to air. The full versions can be viewed on the campaign's official website ( https://www.myrepi.com/lob ).

The event featured guest MC Shuzo Matsuoka, the campaign's passionate cheerleader, alongside Olympic medalists Evgeni Plushenko (Russia), a former men's figure skater, and women's wrestler Saori Yoshida. They sent messages of support to Hanyu, who is currently recovering from injury.

At the start, Matsuoka stated, "Yuzuru Hanyu is an athlete who can turn situations that would be negative for others into positives." Plushenko revealed, "The reason I perform in so many shows in Japan is because Olympic champion Yuzuru is here." He passionately shared his thoughts on Hanyu: "Yuzuru is such an amazing athlete that I feel grateful to be living in the same era as him. He first came to see my show when he was 8 years old, but now I often learn from him. I've had 15 surgeries myself, but if you have a strong core within you, you can always recover from injury."

When a new commercial aired at the venue, Plushenko revealed, "Yuzuru cherishes his parents deeply." Matsuoka added, "His mother is the one and only person who accepts everything, no matter the outcome. Yuzuru's words, 'Thank you, Mom,' must also bring joy to fans worldwide who support him like their own child."

Immediately after Matsuoka commented, "Despite being the defending champion, Hanyu's attitude of challenging his own limits is wonderful," Plushenko made a shocking statement: "He doesn't need to force the quadruple Lutz."

Shocked, Matsuoka pressed for clarification. Plushenko explained, "There are two things I believe are crucial for the Olympics. First, don't rush. I want him to fully recover from his injury. Second, he shouldn't fight. He shouldn't compete against other skaters; he should only face his own fears. What Yuzuru needs to do is simply showcase what he's built since age four. He possesses a unique skating style, defined by his exceptional artistry and fluidity, that only he can deliver." He added passionately, "Even so, I believe he will attempt the quadruple Lutz. I think he simply can't help but challenge it." Plushchenko's fervor in expressing his thoughts about Hanyu left Yoshida visibly overwhelmed, prompting him to remark, "His passion rivals that of Matsuoka-san, who is said to be the most passionate in Japan."

Finally, they each wrote messages on a banner for Hanyu. Yoshida wrote, "I hope he performs freely and enjoys it, being true to himself." Plushenko wrote, "Get well, health comes first. Show your usual calmness, sharp mind, and positive thinking," and sent a passionate final cheer: "Don't worry about other skaters, just focus on yourself. Believe in yourself, just as your mom, dad, and fans always believe in you." Matsuoka gazed at the banner reading "Go for it, Hanyu!" and concluded, "I want everyone—Hanyu and his supporters alike—to share that determination to do their best."

The company is running a campaign inviting 5 pairs (20 people) to a PyeongChang Winter Olympics figure skating exhibition viewing tour. Winners, who must purchase eligible products and answer a quiz, will experience the highly popular exhibition program live with family. The luxurious tour includes round-trip airfare and hotel stays. Skater Yoshida remarked, "I'd want to go myself. Seeing it live is truly incredible."

 

 

Official Website: http://jp.pg.com/olympic/