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Subscribe to RSSWhen you think of Olympic heroes, you think of those gold-medal winning performances. That record-setting swim race. The lightning-fast relay. The nerve-wracking penalty kicks that resulted in goooooaalll, and victory.
But a new ad from Procter & Gamble puts the spotlight on an entirely different hero: The Olympic mom. The ones who got up earlier than everyone else to feed and drive their little athletes to pre-dawn practices for all those years. The ones who logged millions of miles chauffeuring to games and competitions; the ones who sat on the sidelines and in bleachers and cheered louder than anyone else.
For its “Best Job” commercial, the company created a two-minute tear-jerker filled with poignant scenes of moms from around the world playing their supporting roles in building world-class athletes, from the breakfast-making to the commuting, to the loads and loads of laundry.
There are scenes of heartache — the mom bandaging a child’s hurt foot, or the mom upset when her gymnast falls off a balance beam, as well as scenes of elation — the mom crying with pride as her child salutes her after winning a race.
But mostly, the scenes show the unwavering maternal devotion that every mom can relate to.
Because while only a tiny percentage of moms have kids who make it all the way to the Olympics, there are hundreds and thousands who do the same thing each day, with an end result that takes place on a much smaller stage — a little league game, or a local swim meet, or maybe a high school state championship. Even that’s rare.
Click here to salute your own mom with P&G's "Thank you, mom" app
The “Best Job” ad resonated with my own life. As a competitive youth tennis player for many years, my mom sacrificed numerous hours each week driving me and my older brother to practices and lessons, hitting balls with us, and giving guidance and advice (both solicited and unsolicited!). She spent weekends taking us to tournaments, where she'd sit in her lawn chair and read books as we waited for hours between matches. She’d make sure our water jugs were always filled and gave us pep talks before tough opponents, hugs after tough losses.
Life has come full circle because now I’m the one driving the carpool, making pre-game meals, washing uniforms, giving moral support, and rooting for my two kids in their athletic endeavors.
P&G’s ad has the tagline: "The hardest job is the best job in the world. Thank you, Mom."
Having been on both sides, I couldn’t agree more.
(Full disclosure: Procter & Gamble is a sponsor of TODAY in London. Our tears at this commercial, though? Totally unsponsored.)
Join P&G in saying "Thank you, Mom" by sending your Mom a message of thanks at: http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom
Do you know a great mom? Tell her you appreciate her with a cute e-card.
Check out Mother's Day gift guides, videos, recipes and more in our special section.
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Leave a Comment:
Shame on you "The Today Show"! I watched your Olympic Moms commercial & was moved by this most touching & observational commercial about the hard work that so often go unnoticed by moms. Yes, I too was moved to tears. Then I realized something was missing. It's about the olympics and no Black moms are featured. I thought how strange that someone had the observation to come up with this amazing idea but not enough to realize that Black moms make the same sacrifice for there little olympians and more often without the help of a father. So I went online to see the if "The Today Show" had edited it. To my chagrin I found that the original commercial was about 4 moms and one of them was Black. The editors at The Today Show making the "conscience" decision to edit out ever shot of the Black mom and her child was added insult to injury. Yes, there may have been time constraints that required editing but one would have to be completely out of touch with the subject matter to choose to edit it in the manner. Well, moms all over the world, including Black moms, I would like to let you know that you are not over looked when it comes to the much deserved credit you have earn for the hard work you do. This was not only a testimony to olympic moms but to the hard work of all moms. Happy Mothers Day & thank you for all you do. Ricco Ross, Los Angeles.
May 8, 2012
To: Jody Allen – Procter & Gamble
From: Katelyn Williams
Subject: My Mom – an Olympic Mom
My name is Katelyn, I am 25 ½ years old & I am intellectually disabled. I have had a lot of medical issues – premature birth, several pneumonias, respiratory arrest, seizure disorder, & others - & my mom has worked very hard to help keep me alive. She has also worked very hard to include me in all that life has to offer, up to my level of ability.
One of the activities I have enjoyed being included in is going to my younger brother’s swim meets for our neighborhood pool. I love the pool, the races, the buzzer & the cheering – for over 12 years. My brother has aged out of the swim team but my mom still takes me to the swim meets to see the other kids swim & enjoy all the excitement.
I was watching on TV the swim trials of Jul/Aug 2011 & was cheering for the swimmers. Seeing me get all excited, my mom decided to take me to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London .
Now, travelling with me is no easy task. We bring a caregiver to room with me. My mom, dad & the caregiver all take turns in helping me get dressed, fed, pushing the wheelchair, & all other activities of life.
To include me in the trip to the Olympics is a major effort for all, but my mom insists on keeping me included. The extra work, the extra planning, & the extra costs are all worth it to her to see me cheer & smile – along with the rest of the world.
For including me on this trip to the Olympics, my mom is also an “Olympic” mom!!!
Can you please “include” her in your promotion to sponsor my Olympic mom to get to London with $1000 & to let her (& us) visit the P & G Family Home??? A wonderful program for a wonderful mom!
Thank you,
Katelyn Williams, Falls Church, VA ( written with the assistance of my Aunt Linda-after seeing the Today Show interview with Matt Lauer )
Linda A. Engstrom, Tewksbury,MA
May 8, 2012
To: Jody Allen – Procter & Gamble
From: Katelyn Williams
Subject: My Mom – an Olympic Mom
My name is Katelyn, I am 25 ½ years old & I am intellectually disabled. I have had a lot of medical issues – premature birth, several pneumonias, respiratory arrest, seizure disorder, & others - & my mom has worked very hard to help keep me alive. She has also worked very hard to include me in all that life has to offer, up to my level of ability.
One of the activities I have enjoyed being included in is going to my younger brother’s swim meets for our neighborhood pool. I love the pool, the races, the buzzer & the cheering – for over 12 years. My brother has aged out of the swim team but my mom still takes me to the swim meets to see the other kids swim & enjoy all the excitement.
I was watching on TV the swim trials of Jul/Aug 2011 & was cheering for the swimmers. Seeing me get all excited, my mom decided to take me to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London .
Now, travelling with me is no easy task. We bring a caregiver to room with me. My mom, dad & the caregiver all take turns in helping me get dressed, fed, pushing the wheelchair, & all other activities of life.
To include me in the trip to the Olympics is a major effort for all, but my mom insists on keeping me included. The extra work, the extra planning, & the extra costs are all worth it to her to see me cheer & smile – along with the rest of the world.
For including me on this trip to the Olympics, my mom is also an “Olympic” mom!!!
Can you please “include” her in your promotion to sponsor my Olympic mom to get to London with $1000 & to let her (& us) visit the P & G Family Home??? A wonderful program for a wonderful mom!
Thank you,
Katelyn Williams ( written with the assistance of my Aunt Linda-after seeing the Today Show interview with Matt Lauer )
Moms should be recognized. You know Dads of Olympians won't be recognized by PG&E because it's hard to sell soap to men.
Note the subtle product placements :
0:44 Tide laundry detergent
0:46 Tide laundry detergent
0:49 Fairy dishwashing detergent
Why does P&G completely ignore dads? Dads are responsible for their children's interests in sports as much if not more than moms. Where is their recognition? The blatant bigotry and discrimination by P&G is very disturbing. I will buy any product other than P&G from now on unless this is corrected. Many dads, like myself, do much of the shopping these days. You have lost a good customer.
Shame on Proctor & Gamble. I have changed just as many diapers, bandaged just as many cuts, driven to just as many practices, sat at just as many games, and soaked up just as many tears as my childrens' mother. We are a team in raising our kids. I bet you find the same with the families of most Olympic athletes. I remember a FATHER coming out of the stands to help his son across the finish line once. I bet he saw his son as a little boy still. I respect the roles that mothers play, but I also recognize the role father's play. Perhaps Proctor & Gamble should have saluted families instead of pandering to the perceived primary purchasers of its products. I can tell you that there is one less family that will be buying their products now.
Not watching the Today show. Watching Good Morning America and/or CBS. What they did to Ann Curry was just plain hateful!
Phelps said he does his talking in the pool.? I think he also does behind his "BONG"...!
mom & dad i love you.