Sunday Funday Moment: UTEP graduate’s work featured in Super Bowl commercial
El Paso, Texas-- If you watched the Super Bowl last Sunday for the commercials you may be surprised to know that one UTEP grad’s work was featured during the big game.
“This was something we started working on in August for the super bowl so it's been a long journey,” said UTEP grad Rolando Leal.
Leal and his husband Edgar Cavazos grew up in El Paso and Juarez. After graduating from UTEP with a degree in marketing and management, Leal was eager to put his degree to use.
“I remember going to those advertising agencies without any experience and I was like, hey can you hire me and of course, nobody hired me so thats when we decided to move out of El Paso,” said Leal.
The couple had their eye’s set on making New York city their new home.
“We were in Mexico City in the beginning and you know coming to New York city everyone was like are you guys actually going to New York City? It’s hard. Nothing is going to happen it’s impossible. Don't dream about that,” said Cavazos.
Fast forward nine years later- Leal's most recent work as an account director for E*trade would land him and his work on a spot during one of tv’s most watched events. The Super Bowl.
“My client is E*Trade so I work on commercials for them for broadcast and all other channels. I touch every aspect of the process from ideation to production and post production,” said Leal.
Seeing his work on the TV screen during the Super Bowl was a surreal feeling for Leal.
"I was so excited," said Leal, "It’s just an accomplishment and it’s just so much work that you put into and its months and hours of zoom meetings. It's a long process for just thirty seconds to be on air.”
And their advice for those who may be too afraid to take that leap is simple.
“I always say that just go for it," said Cavazos, "If your dreams scare you it's because they're big and you should go and follow them.”
“And don't take no for an answer," said Leal, "When someone says no you say why not? And just keep pushing and pushing yourself.”
WATCH THE COMMERCIAL BELOW:
