Toyota is taking Toni Harris to the Super Bowl. Harris, 22, is the first female football player to play a non-specialist position. She is also the first and only female player to be offered a full scholarship as a non-specialist on defence. In fact, she was offered four.

Harris, the brand says, is like the Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid. An against-the-odds achiever.

“The 2019 RAV4 HV is the vehicle that will shatter perceptions of hybrids, much like how Toni is shattering perceptions of a football player,” stated Ed Laukes, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America. “We’re excited to highlight Toni’s inspirational story during the Big Game and remind viewers that assumptions should always be challenged.”

https://youtu.be/H-LRLub6m5A

The Super Bowl film is, by sportscaster Jim Nantz, and directed by Joe Pytka, who has directed more than 80 Super Bowl commercials. “Toni’s story and the Toyota RAV4 HV narrative complement each other nicely and it was a true pleasure to feature them during the most-watched television event of the year,” Pytka commented.

This year’s Toyota Super Bowl ad was created by Burrell Communications with support from Saatchi & Saatchi and Zenith Media. Burrell is part of Toyota’s stable of agencies, made up of Saatchi & Saatchi, Burrell Communications, Conill Advertising & interTrend, with Zenith placing TV and outdoor media buys.