Gridiron Legend Joe Montana Recreates "The Catch" & Snaps A Selfie

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Visit California launches today its new three-episode web series "Bay Area or Bust" on YouTube.com/VisitCalifornia. The series features gridiron legend Joe Montana hitchhiking across the Golden State from Greater Palm Springs to Levi's Stadium in the Bay Area. Along the way, Joe's adventures include a re-enactment of one of the most memorable sports moments in history, "The Catch," as he travels with YouTube stars Brandon Armstrong, Zachary Piona, Brittani Louise Taylor and Tyler Ward, who offer companionship and comic relief during his journey.  

This year's big game has fans everywhere excited to watch an epic football matchup between two teams known for their dynamic quarterbacks. The three "Bay Area or Bust" episodes will build excitement leading up to this showdown on Sunday, Feb. 7, and show that Joe Montana is still anything but an Average Joe.

"The 'Bay Area or Bust' web series is a modern way to celebrate one of the biggest sporting celebrations of the year in a uniquely California way," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. "Football has a long history of bringing Californians together, from the first 1967 Big Game in Los Angeles to this year's matchup. The series allows us to connect to a wider audience and showcase California's beauty, road trip experiences and love of sports."

"Bay Area or Bust" combines iconic football legend Joe Montana with digital celebrities that have quickly risen in profile through amassing engaged audiences across social channels. "It's always fun working with Visit California, and I was thrilled to be able to combine my love of football with the state I call home," said Joe Montana. "Engaging with rising digital stars for this series has been great as we share our mutual passion for California. It was a wonderful exchange. While they taught me about the world of social media, I was also able to have fun with them with my experiences playing America's most beloved sport and the traditions that surround it." 

The series is the result of an innovative partnership between Visit California and global youth media company Fullscreen, allowing a "next practice" tourism marketing platform to be developed.

"Working with Visit California is an exciting opportunity to bring trusted influential voices into a campaign that's been proven to make an impact," says Kevin McGurn, head of sales, Fullscreen and Otter Media Companies. "This program benefits their brand by expanding viewership to younger demos while placing next generation celebrities in alignment with an American sports icon. It's a win-win for both teams."

Viewers can follow along with Joe and his road trip cohorts on an epically Californian adventure during three episodes:

• Episode One: Greater Palm Springs – Los Angeles
  The first episode opens with Joe in the Greater Palm Springs area trying to find his way to the Big Game in Santa Clara. Here he meets up with the king of professional basketball impersonations, Brandon Armstrong, who offers the American football hero a lift to Los Angeles along one of the area's famed fairways. But first they practice their golf swing and take in a special performance featuring Brandon and fellow digital star Brittani Louise Taylor at the clubhouse. 
• Episode Two: Los Angeles – Santa Cruz
  Now stranded in LA, Joe runs into selfie-taking Tyler Ward, combined singer, writer and producer, who just so happens to be a mega-fan of the football legend. Tyler, known for his covers and original songs, is on tour and offers to take Joe as far as Santa Cruz – as long as the two can take selfies along the way. Before departing, they recreate "The Catch" at Los Angeles' The Coliseum, home of the first Big Game played on January 15, 1967.
• Episode Three: Santa Cruz – Santa Clara
  While enjoying the view in Santa Cruz, Vine comedian Zachary Piona, known for his hilarious videos, sits next to Joe as the two admire the surf and discuss shredding some waves. After recognizing Joe, Zachary offers to drive him to his final destination of Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. The duo hit the road and Zachary shares the ins and outs of being a social media star. After a grand adventure Joe has finally arrived at the 50 yard line of the Big Game!

In addition to "Bay Area or Bust," Visit California has developed other original web series featured on Visit California's YouTube channel, including "California Dream Eater" – a foodie-inspired, social media adventure throughout the state; "California Dreamers" – a documentary series profiling Californians who have made their dreams become reality; and "California, Always in Season" – an original series in partnership with Food & Wine magazine that shines a spotlight on California-grown produce and the Chefs who bring it to the table.

Follow Joe Montana's "Bay Area or Bust" journey on YouTube.com/VisitCalifornia or connect to the web series by following VisitCalifornia on Facebook,  @VisitCa on Twitter, and @VisitCalifornia on Instagram.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook:
Football Legend Joe Montana says #BayAreaOrBust in new VisitCalifornia web series.

It's #BayAreaOrBust for Football Legend Joe Montana as he hitchhikes his way to the Feb 7 Big Game with rising digital celebrities. VisitCalifornia

US Football Legend Joe Montana is anything but an average Joe in new Visit California web series, "Bay Area or Bust." VisitCalifornia

Twitter:
#BayAreaOrBust American football legend Joe Montana hitches a ride to the Big Game in @VisitCA video series. #SuperBowl #NFL #dreambig

Will Joe Montana make it to the Big Game? Find out in @VisitCA video series "Bay Area or Bust." #BayAreaOrBust #SuperBowl #NFL #dreambig

The Big Game is almost here. Joe Montana will do whatever it takes to be there! #BayAreaOrBust @VisitCA #dreambig #SuperBowl #NFL

About Fullscreen
Fullscreen is a global youth media company that develops online creators and produces multi-platform entertainment experiences. 600 million subscribers generate more than 5 billion video views across Fullscreen's global network each month. Fullscreen's network includes 75,000 creators, including Grace Helbig, The Fine Bros., filmmaker Devin SuperTramp, Andrea Russett and Jack and Jack. Visit www.fullscreen.com.

About Visit California
Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state's travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, spending by travelers totaled $117.5 billion in 2014 in California, generating 1,027,000 jobs in the state and $9.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.  For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to www.media.visitcalifornia.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160128/327270 

SOURCE Visit California