Fidelity’s Ad Campaign to Feature Former Beatle

Former Beatle Paul McCartney will be featured as part of a national advertising campaign for Fidelity Investments, the largest U.S. mutual fund management company, the company said Wednesday.

Fidelity also will co-sponsor McCartney’s 11-week U.S. concert tour, which starts Sept. 16 in Miami. The ad takes viewers through events and accomplishments of the 63-year-old musician’s life.

The fund management company is putting a greater emphasis on its retirement-services unit as the eldest baby boomers turn 59 this year. Abigail Johnson, daughter of Chairman Edward C. Johnson III, oversees that business. Fidelity, with $1.1 trillion in assets, is trying to spur fund sales after lagging behind American Funds, Vanguard Group and Franklin Resources Inc. in the first half, according to Financial Research Corp.

“It is the first time he has given personal footage to an ad campaign,” Fidelity spokesman Steve Austin said.

The ad will debut tonight during the first half of the New England Patriots’ football game against the Oakland Raiders on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC network.