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Video: State Farm's "Empire State Of Mind" 9/11 Anniversary Commercial
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 12, 2011
Modified Sep 12, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 12, 2011
Modified Sep 12, 2011
Share
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Admit it: You got a warm and fuzzy feeling while seeing State Farm's commercial paying tribute to New York City, with 150 children singing "Empire State of Mind" to FDNY firefighters. State Farm spokesman Roszell Gadson said that the Spike Lee-directed spot was a "way to honor and show appreciation for the sacrifices made every day by firefighters and emergency responders" and the company wanted to "find a way to honor these brave men and women as we collectively mark the 9/11 anniversary." State Farm is selling this version of the song on iTunes for 99 cents, with proceeds going to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. One person on iTunes commented, "I can't even lie. I have seen this State Farm commercial like 5 times today and every time it makes me smile and brings me to the verge of tears. I had to find the song and here it is! Great cover!"
State Farm has also posted additional videos: One features Spike Lee explaining what went into the shoot (he calls "Empire State of Mind" NYC's new anthem), one shares thoughts from the firefighters and another has interviews with the children, who are ages 8-11 and from the NYC area.
Behind the scenes:
Firefighters:
Interviews with the children:
Tagged
empire state of mind
fdny
firefighters
spike lee
state farm
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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