Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho turned a Tyneside warehouse into a world-class set for a Boohooman advert, after the original photoshoot location fell through just five days before the shoot. The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year was in the region for a charity match at the Stadium of Light and needed a venue for the advertising campaign.
Last-Minute Venue Change
Mark Proudlock, partner at Knight Frank, received a call from Boohooman five days before the planned shoot, asking for help to find a venue. The retailer had been let down on an alternative property and needed a new location in time for Ronaldinho's arrival in the North East for the weekend.
Fortunately, one of Proudlock's clients, UK Land Estates, had recently completed L7 Intersect 19—a Grade A, 72,000 sq ft high bay warehouse on Tyne Tunnel Estate—which was perfect for filming. The firm was delighted to come to the rescue.
Warehouse Transformed
Proudlock said: "The team at Boohooman were a joy to work with and it was fascinating seeing the space put to such a creative use. It was great to see Ronaldinho doing a few tricks with the ball and how warm and friendly he was, signing Brazil shirts and having his photo taken with the Boohooman team."
David Gibbs, director at UK Land Estates, added: "L7 is a fantastic new manufacturing and logistics unit which is ready to occupy. Saying it was opened by Ronaldinho is clearly an exaggeration but we were delighted to help and seeing the adverts knowing they were created in one of our buildings is a reminder of the huge range of uses our buildings are put to."
Charity Match and After-Party
Ronaldinho had jetted into the region for the Ronaldinho & Friends former players match at the Stadium of Light. He captained his star-studded side against Jermaine Defoe's UK Icons, held one day after the Premier League season finished. Other players included Djibril Cissé, Kléberson, Heurelho Gomes, Fábio & Rafael, Fernando, and Anderson.
The match ended 3-1 to Ronaldinho & Friends against Team Defoe and the UK Icons. Following the match, an exclusive party was held at rooftop bar Above, in Newcastle.
