Tuesday, January 18, 2011

LeBron James is Launching a New Webseries: The LeBrons

Today the New York Times announced that LeBron James is launching an animated webseries called The LeBrons this spring.  It will debut on YouTube as well as lebronjames.com.  According to the New York Times,
 The series will revive the characters from a popular series of Nike commercials in which Mr. James played four versions of himself: the youthful and wide-eyed Kid LeBron; the physically adept Athlete LeBron; the smooth and savvy Business LeBron; and an ornery elder statesman called Wise LeBron."
“The LeBrons,” whose first season will consist of 10 episodes of five to six minutes each, will center on the world of 16-year-old Kid LeBron and his life in Akron, Ohio, using authentic locations from that city, where Mr. James was born and raised. 

Like a latter-day “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” each episode will convey a message — the value of staying in school, staying off drugs or sticking by your family — while its character design and wry sensibility owe an inspirational debt to “The Boondocks,” the satirical comic strip and television series created by Aaron McGruder. 

Props to LeBron for continuing to diversify his portfolio by venturing into new territory.  Contrary to what his Q score reveals, LeBron still has a solid brand supported by a loyal following.  And the fact that Hewlett-Packard and Intel have already signed on as sponsors further proves this point.

And, despite the foul treatment LeBron has received from the good folks in Ohio, LeBron continues to show his fondness for his hometown of Akron, where The LeBrons is taking place.  I guess you can take LeBron out of Ohio, but you can't take Ohio out of LeBron.  

Although I applaud LeBron for this effort, I personally will not be watching this webseries because it doesn't interest me.  And quite frankly, I've seen enough of LeBron and his multiple personalities in the Nike ads.  I'm good on this.  But, if you'd like to learn more about the new webseries, read about here:  LeBron James and His Alter Egos Star in an Internet Animated Series.

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