LEHS gridders in running to appear in Eastern Bank TV ad

LYNN – The goal every year for the Lynn English High School football team is to gain statewide fame through championship play on the football field, but the team may be on the brink of recognition for another reason as it is one of five finalists to be the next stars of an Eastern Bank commercial.LEHS, along with Everett, Hull, Middleboro and Tewksbury high schools are finalists in a competition to star in the local bank’s next television commercial, the bank announced Wednesday.More than two dozen schools initially entered the contest, which asked schools to answer the question, ?What makes your team special?” through videos, essays or photos.Along with a starring spot in the new commercial, the winning school will receive a $5,000 grant for that athletic department. In addition, each finalist will receive $1,000 and every entrant in the contest will receive $500 for their efforts.”I want to congratulate every school official, parent, fan and student-athlete who spent their valuable time to work together as a team to produce compelling essays and creative videos that amazed our review committee,” said Richard E. Holbrook, chairman and CEO of Eastern Bank.LEHS chose to submit an essay and video slide show, containing highlights and team photos that show the family atmosphere and camaraderie surrounding the team.”We were so impressed – and in some cases awed – by the time and effort that went into these applications, that we decided each qualified applicant should receive $500 and we should increase the finalists’ prize from $500 to $1,000,” added Eastern Bank Managing Director Joe Bartolotta. “There was very little separating the top five from the next five. It was that close.”Most of the entries can be viewed at www.easternbank.-com/teamwork.Eastern Bank marketing executives, along with the help of its advertising agency, Conover Tuttle Pace of Boston, and the production company, Picture Park of Boston, began reviewing the entries over the weekend and finished selecting finalists Tuesday. Each applicant was judged on its answer to the question along with other considerations, including enthusiasm and creativity.”Initially, we thought the need for financial support would be a key factor, but it became clear quickly that all of the schools could use the money,” Bartolotta said. “That was another reason we decided to increase the prize money. In all, we’re going to award almost $20,000 in prize money to high school athletics departments around eastern Massachusetts.”Interviews are now underway with the five finalist schools. The winning team will be selected in the coming weeks, with production of the television commercial scheduled for the end of August. The commercial is scheduled to launch in mid-September.The commercial will be part of a broader advertising campaign to illustrate the value Eastern Bank’s team of banking, investment and insurance professionals brings to its customers.