I was pulling for Phillip Rivers and the Chargers Sunday, but Green Bay prevailed 45-38. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers seem unstoppable. At 8-0 they are the only undefeated team in the NFL.
I’m sure you’ve seen the QB’s State Farm commercial. The backstory on that ad has a Triangle connection. Raleigh State Farm agent Mike Sollie appears in the spot with Aaron Rodgers.
Cheeseheads worship Rodgers, but I’m a fan of Mike Sollie! He’s a loyal advertiser on 99.9 The Fan/620 The Buzz, and he played baseball at NC State.
So, how did Mike end up on national television?Twenty-five high performers were nominated to audition for the commercial from State Farm’s mid-Atlantic zone. The try-outs were done via a video conference. Mike got a call-back and ultimately landed the role.
He went to Green Bay in September for the shoot. It was on a Saturday - all day - seven hours and 150 takes. Mike says Rodgers was “unbelievable...a fantastic, funny guy.”
On the set, Rodgers had a trailer befitting his superstar status. Mike got a lawn chair...and his thirty seconds of fame!
