Visa stars Jackie Chan in Olympic TVC

Hong Kong - Visa International has launched a TVC starring movie star Jackie Chan in the first part of a 16-month Olympic themed marketing campaign in the lead-up to the 2008 Games in Beijing and Hong Kong.

The campaign aims to promote Visa's status as worldwide sponsor and partner of the 2008 Olympic Games.

"The new commercial is part of our continued campaign in raising consumers' awareness on Visa as the official payment partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and shows that with Visa they can be part of this important event. With Hong Kong being the venue for the Equestrian events of the 2008 Olympics, Jackie Chan's image as an international movie star from Hong Kong helps promote the city's significance in the 2008 Games," James Dixon, country manager of Hong Kong and Macau for Visa International said.

The 60-second commercial created by Visa and BBDO depicts Jackie Chan as a comic hero eager to participate in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It features Chan participating in several Olympic sports to make it to the Games before eventually discovering the easier way is through his Visa card. Chinese basketballer Yao Ming also guest stars in the commercial.

The new TVC, which launched on 3 May, is also aired in China, Australia and Thailand with plans to run in other markets in the Asia Pacific region.