David Shafei Tags in Micah Parsons for Comedic Dave & Buster's Spots

Sep. 12, 2023

Dave & Buster’s latest campaign, "Trade for Dave & Buster’s" captures the joys of shirking adult responsibilities, directed by WW7’s David Shafei. In the two spots, Dave & Buster’s regulars can revel in sports, games, and five-dollar bites by enlisting Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons to swap places with them, and attend parent-teacher conferences and visit their grandmothers in their stead.

The hilarious tableaus crafted by Shafei include Parsons saving the films’ heroes from having to visit their relatives and tend to parental obligations with a mental pat-on-the-back from a proud coach, James Flag, the fictional inventor of “The Method,” a 748-step method to unlearning adulthood, as previously established in this year’s preceding Dave & Buster’s campaign, also directed by Shafei.

Shafei’s ability to let the physical comedy speak for itself while naturally funny circumstances play out is a hallmark of his career as a commercial director, as seen in ads for Jack in the Box, IHOP, Mountain Dew, Chex Mix, Jet Blue, and Petco, among many others. His ongoing partnership with Dave & Busters ramps up that skill and takes it to new heights.

Shafei says of his most recent Dave & Buster’s series of spots:

"Collaborating with Dave & Buster’s, and with Mother NY, was so much fun. I loved creating James with them in the last round and inventing a world around his ‘Un-Adulting’ method, so it was great to have him back and put his ‘method’ into action, with a pro football player this time. Micah Parsons was naturally funny and wonderful to work with."

 

Sloane Skala, WW7 EP, added:

"David Shafei and Dave & Buster’s is a commercial match made in heaven. We’ve had so much fun working with this team and stellar talent, and it shows in the work. Mother and D&B really allowed us to take being goofy seriously – these shoots feel like Spring Break for our whole crew. Now imagine adding Micah Parsons to our Spring Break sets, and you can see for yourself the hilarity that ensued. We’re excited for everyone else to share in our fun as well."