Toyota Salutes Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial with Upcoming 2020 Toyota Highlander Commercial, “Home Team”

Former Kansas City Monarchs Captain James “Jim” Robinson Featured in Spot Produced by Burrell Communications Group

PLANO, Texas (February 19, 2020) – In celebration of an iconic moment in American history, Toyota pays tribute to 100 years of Negro Leagues Baseball in the latest creative as part of the marketing campaign for the all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander. Filmed partly at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, the commercial, titled “Home Team,” was created and produced by Burrell Communications Group.

“We are truly delighted that Toyota has chosen to honor the unsung heroes of the Negro Leagues this way,” says Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “The passion, determination, and unwavering spirit from these individuals is truly an American story.”

Living baseball legend James “Jim” Robinson, former captain of the Kansas City Monarchs, is featured as the “family patriarch” in the spot. Jim and his family take a trip down memory lane at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum where his love for the game comes to life. The reminiscing continues as the family hops into their all-new Highlander and travels to where it all began, complete with a standing ovation to honor the impact Jim and his fellow teammates left on the sport.

“‘Home Team’ is yet another inspiring piece of work from our ‘GO HIGHLANDER’ campaign,” says Joe Moses, general manager, Toyota vehicle marketing and communications, Toyota Motor North America. “We are honored to celebrate this pivotal moment in history in a touching spot that celebrates America’s favorite pastime.”

Toyota commemorated the Negro Leagues Centennial with a private brunch and panel discussion at the historic Apollo Theater, currently celebrating its 85^th anniversary. Moderated by ESPN/ABC News correspondent Ryan Smith, the panel featured Jim Robinson; Corey Seaton, vice president and creative director, Burrell Communications Group; and Craig Payne, executive program manager, product development office, Toyota Motor North America.

“Home Team” is scheduled to start airing in summer 2020.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2019.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Leigh Anne Sessions
Toyota Motor North America
469-292-5849
[email protected]

Marissa Borjon
Toyota Motor North America
469-292-6395
[email protected]

Camille Johnson
Burrell Public Relations
312-297-9747
[email protected]

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