Zambezi just launched their latest NFL Flag Football campaign, and it’s clear they’ve been building toward this Olympic moment. “Chase Something” caps off a three-year creative partnership that started with Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson on high school intercoms and now features Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles literally chasing the future of football.
The Los Angeles agency’s integrated approach—with FIN Studios handling production—arrives as flag football experiences explosive growth, with youth participation now exceeding tackle football for ages 6-12.
The Evolution: Three Campaigns, One Story
Zambezi’s NFL Flag Football work tells a clear narrative arc:
2023: “Let’s Play” with Justin Jefferson
Created by Zambezi with production by Heart and Hustle, the campaign featured Jefferson taking over high school intercoms, calling out kids who felt “too much,” “too bold,” or “not loud enough.” The spot included cameos from YouTuber Deestroying, Quavo, and Michael Vick, set to Metro Boomin’s “Superhero.”
2024: “Let’s Play” 2.0 with CeeDee Lamb and Justin Herbert
FIN Studios and Zambezi teamed up again to deliver an evolution featuring content creator IShowSpeed streaming games live, Lamb playing coach, and Herbert watching from the weight room. Real flag athletes like Brooklin Hill and Ava Wallace took center stage.
2025: “Chase Something”
Now we’re chasing Olympic dreams. Director Travis Hanour keeps cameras in constant motion—always in front of or behind athletes—creating a visual metaphor for pursuit. Sophie Guitron (2024 NFL Latino Youth Honors winner), Ashlea Klam (U.S. National Team), and Janasia Wilson (Nike’s first NIL flag football athlete) represent the sport’s future alongside Daniels and Chiles.
Why This Works
Jordan Chiles delivers the campaign’s emotional core: “I know how life-changing it is to represent your country on the world’s biggest stage.” Coming from an actual Olympic champion, addressing a sport heading to LA28, that lands differently.
The timing couldn’t be better. The NFL Flag Championships run July 17-20 with 3,000 players, 300 teams, and ESPN providing 33 hours of coverage. International teams from eight countries offer a preview of flag football’s Olympic future.
But here’s what Zambezi gets: this isn’t about creating a “safer alternative” to tackle football. Flag football is its own sport with its own culture. By featuring real athletes over celebrities and emphasizing skill over size, they’re building a movement, not just marketing a product.
The Business Impact
The work has earned significant recognition:
- Emmy nominations for FIN Studios
- Multiple Clio Sports Awards
- Contributed to flag football’s explosive growth trajectory
As a women-owned agency, Zambezi brings authentic perspective to a sport where girls’ participation is exploding—16 states now sanction girls’ flag football as a varsity sport, with over 100 colleges offering programs.
What’s Next
With three years until LA28, Zambezi faces an interesting challenge: maintaining momentum. “Chase Something” suggests they’re thinking long-term, positioning flag football not just as an Olympic sport but as a pathway to transformation.
As Alex Cohn, Partner at Zambezi and Head of Content at FIN Studios, notes: “We believe deeply in the power of sport to inspire, and as flag football opens doors for more young athletes, it’s incredible to watch them showcase their skills and chase their goals.”
For an agency that’s made Inc. 5000 seven times and built a reputation as the go-to for women’s sports activation, the NFL Flag Football partnership proves indies can compete at the highest level when they bring integrated capabilities and cultural understanding to the work.
As flag football races toward Olympic inclusion, Zambezi isn’t just the sport’s agency—they’re part of its story.
Learn more
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Contact: Chris Raih, Founder & President (New Business) – chris@zmbz.com Amanda Cosindas, Director of Communications – amanda.cosindas@zmbz.com
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