Bringing the Past to Life:

How AI Helped Us Revive a Golf Legend for Modern Storytelling

There’s something magical about hearing a voice from the past — especially one that carries the weight of history, charm, and authenticity. For our latest TV commercial, our team at 1457 set out to do just that: to merge cutting-edge AI technology with the nostalgia of Seve and classic film to tell a story that feels both timeless and new.

Unearthing the Original Moment

It began with a simple idea — to bring back the voice of Seve, who inspired generations. The only existing footage of him saying the lines we wanted to use lived on an old VHS tape: grainy, distorted, and layered with music that couldn’t be removed. But despite the technical flaws, the emotion in that moment was undeniable. It was real, human, and filled with the warmth that defined his character.

Our challenge? To preserve that authenticity while making it broadcast-ready for a modern audience.

Merging the Analog with the Algorithm

Instead of resorting to a soundalike or scripted narration, our team turned to AI voice recreation — not as a replacement for the human touch, but as a bridge between eras.

We fed the AI hours of archival interviews, press conferences, and candid clips of Seve speaking. The goal wasn’t to create something artificial — it was to teach the system the nuances of his voice: the rhythm of his speech, the hint of humour in his tone, the slight lift at the end of a sentence that made him instantly recognisable.

With careful direction, input from Seve’s family and ethical consideration, we were able to have AI reconstruct the exact words from that original VHS clip — this time, free of interference and ready for the high-definition clarity of today’s production standards.

Respecting Legacy Through Innovation

Throughout the process, our creative and technical teams worked hand in hand to ensure every detail honoured Seve’s legacy. The result wasn’t just a re-creation of his voice — it was a respectful restoration of a moment that might otherwise have been lost to time.

We see this as more than a technical achievement. It’s a new way of storytelling that connects the emotional power of the past with the creative potential of the present.

A New Kind of Storytelling

This project represents what we believe is the future of advertising — where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human element. It’s where a 1980s VHS recording can live again in 4K. Where a legend’s voice can echo once more, not through imitation, but through innovation.

In an industry driven by constant change, sometimes the most powerful stories come from finding new ways to honour the old ones.