Who is the guy in the Truly commercial?
Unmasking the face of your favorite hard seltzer ad
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Meet Keegan‑Michael Key: The Star of Truly
The charismatic face you keep seeing in Truly Hard Seltzer ads is none other than Keegan‑Michael Key, the Emmy‑winning comedian and actor best known for the sketch-comedy series Key & Peele. In a major campaign by Boston Beer Company, Key became the comedic centerpiece of several high-energy television spots promoting Truly’s flavored seltzers.
His presence in these ads is not accidental—Key brings a blend of humor, charm, and a charismatic presence that makes the brand pop off the screen.
What Happened in the Truly Ads?
Boston Beer launched five distinct, 15‑second spots featuring Key, each highlighting a different vibe:
“Derek”: Key arrives at a backyard BBQ, exuding confidence while showcasing the crisp, refreshing appeal of the drink.
“Candle”: He humorously compares picking wine to seltzer, again anchoring his comedic timing to the brand.
The overarching tagline—from this campaign—is: “Drink What You Truly Want.” It’s a call to embrace fun, flavor, and authenticity—all wrapped in Key’s infectious delivery.
Watch Him in Action
Truly Hard Seltzer – “Derek” (featuring Keegan‑Michael Key)
In this iconic spot, Key holds a can of Truly by the grill, delivering his lines with laid‑back coolness, while brilliantly communicating the crisp taste and beach‑side vibe that the brand aims for.
Why Keegan‑Michael Key Was the Perfect Pick
Key’s involvement makes sense for several reasons:
Cross‑demographic appeal – Known both for comedy and voice acting, Key resonates with young adults and broader audiences.
Authentic humor – His improvisational style makes ads seem spontaneous, not scripted.
Immediate recognition – His fame helps Truly cut through advertising clutter.
As Boston Beer’s EVP of marketing explained, tapping Key was about bringing a fresh comedic angle to their brand voice.
More Commercials, More Creativity
Since then, Truly has expanded into new ad formats:
Poolside & BBQ spots: Featuring summer vibes and outdoor fun.
Celebrity cameos: US Soccer stars Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams appeared in a lighthearted “ShowerTruly” commercial—a nod to the joy of a truly refreshing drink after a match.
This approach creates a playful, unexpected personality for the brand—far from your typical beverage spot.
The Impact of the Campaign
Brand lift: The humorous tone helped Truly stand out in a crowded hard‑seltzer market.
Social reach: Clips and gifs of Key’s appearances went viral, broadening Truly’s visibility.
Cultural relevance: Aligning with sports and summer settings anchored the brand in fun, active lifestyles.
The ads underscored a trend: merging entertainment and marketing by letting trusted entertainers drive brand messaging.
Inside Look at a Commercial Shoot
Though official BTS footage wasn’t released, key details from campaign coverage include:
Short formats: Each spot is a tight 15‑second punch—big personality, small runtime.
Consistency: Settings (backyards, BBQs, showers) echo everyday relaxation and leisure.
Improvisation element: Directors left room for Key to ad-lib, capturing genuine moments.
This production style reflects a modern ad mantra: keep it natural, keep it quick, keep it shareable.
Truly and Today’s Media Landscape
Hard seltzer ads thrive in social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram rely on:
Bite‑sized visuals
Relatable humor
Notable personalities
Key’s spots translate well from TV to online—aspirational yet feel-good, and designed for rapid sharing and tagging.
The Role of Celebrity in Beverage Ads
This isn’t unique to Truly—other brands have tapped celebrities:
George Clooney for Nespresso
Steph Curry for Chase
Jennifer Aniston for Vital Proteins
But with Key, Truly found a sweet spot: unexpected, playful, and authentic—qualities that align with its “drink what you purely want” identity.
More to Watch: Other Truly Ads
Some other notable spots include:
“Dancing on Water”: A lively pool ad with catchy tunes and carefree energy.
Campfire/BBQ reels: Celebrating community, flavor, and spontaneity.
Each keeps Key’s signature energy front and center, reinforcing the brand’s image consistently.
How You Can Spot Keegan‑Michael Key Next
Watch summer ad lineups: Seasonal campaigns frequently feature his ads.
Follow Truly social channels: They post clips, GIFs, and variations of Key’s spots.
Stay tuned during sports events: With US Soccer tie-ins, ads may appear during game broadcasts.
His continued presence makes it likely you’ll see new creative from this campaign in upcoming summers.
Conclusion: The Man Behind the Can
So, who is the guy in the Truly commercial? He’s Keegan‑Michael Key—comedian, actor, and master of bringing personality to a can of seltzer. His campaigns have helped move Truly beyond just another drink, turning it into an experience with flavor, fun, and flair.
By blending celebrity with wit and spontaneity, these ads do more than sell—they entertain. And in today’s competitive beverage scene, that’s exactly what makes Truly memorable.
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