Ballantine's "The Drummer" (2013) 1:00 (UK)

Stay True. Leave an Impression. This spot features drummer Ben Mead who doesn't drum for all the usual reasons. Fame. Money. Fortune. Rewards. Awards.

He does it because he is who he is.

So wait...he drums because he's Popeye?

Ben Mead, according to the press release, has "rejected the traditional path of record contracts, instead favouring less well-known venues where his band feel that their music is best appreciated."

This would explain why the venues where he feels his music is best appreciated include the set of a TV commercial for Ballentine's whisky for a spot that airs on the Discovery Channel and MTV.

Because "I am what I am," don't pay the bills, now do it.

Agency
M& C Saatchi London
Agency contact
Jeremy Hemmings, Jessica Tam
Agency contact job title
Global Client Director, Account Director
Client name
Peter Moore
Client job title
Brand Director
Creative Director
Simon Dicketts
Copywriter
Christopher Ross-Kellam
Art director
Bill Gallacher
Planner
Richard Storey, Tarik Fatihi
Photographer
Steven Brahms
Photographer's agency
Gold Teeth
Production company
The Custom Family
Director
Jake Nava
Audio Post Production
Grand Central Sound Studios
Post Production
Framestore
Exposure (media channels)
Multi-country TV media, online, print