by Rich Johnson
WASHINGTON — When he applied for a loan, Brandon Williams just wanted to fix up his San Diego condo.
“But I had no idea it was going to be part of the Super Bowl,” says the Howard University graduate.
But that’s exactly what happened after he took out a loan with SoFi, an online lender. The finance company that touts it conventional vetting process invited Williams and many others to be part of a new series of spot.
The first commercial debuts during the second quarter of the CBS Super Bowl 50 broadcast.
“They’re highlighting a bunch of different individuals, and saying who’s great and who’s not,” Williams says. “They finally zero in on me, and explain that I’m great, and why I’m great.”
Williams spent two days shooting the commercial in which he’s walking out of a restaurant with some takeout.
The finance major from Howard speaks well of the company — but also admits he did the ad for free.
“I did this pro bono because it’s a brand that I believe in,” he says. “They gave me a really good rate on the loan.”
