Volvo Car UK celebrates 100,000 Facebook fans milestone with bespoke illustration featuring real-life comments

POSTED BY GILLIAN WEST

Volvo Car UK has marked hitting 100,000 Facebook likes with a specially commissioned artwork from illustrator Matt Johnstone.

The bespoke creation celebrates the social media milestone and uses 100 comments crowdsourced from Volvo Car UK’s Facebook page, highlighting the unique place Volvo enjoys with families and households across the country.

“I was thrilled to work with Volvo on this project, and the live aspect and filming added to the excitement. It was an enjoyable experience working at Volvo’s UK office developing drawings for 100 illustrations into a large piece of artwork. I intended to create an illustration in which people can really study all the different ideas and explore the details on close inspection – and hopefully there is a sense of playfulness too,” said Johnstone.

Kylee Rush, brand manager at Volvo Car UK, added: “We’re really proud to reach this milestone of 100,000 Facebook page likes and wanted to thank our fans for their passion and loyalty. This artwork reflects the rich history of Volvo, its vehicles and its owners, making use of Matt Johnstone’s distinctively fun and quirky style of illustration to really bring it to life in a way that makes our fans feel part of it.”

Volvo Car UK’s social media agency Mindshare collaborated on the illustration which Johnstone created at the car manufacturer’s Maidenhead HQ with the whole process filmed live. The completed film now features on the Volvo Car UK Facebook page with fans invited to enter a competition to win the bespoke creation.

Mini launches New Original campaign with Wonderwall at Liverpool Street Station

Posted by: James Burgess

on March 13, 2014 14:53

• Advertising

Mini has unveiled a £3m campaign to evoke the spirit of the 1959 original for its latest Hatch model.

Produced by iris Worldwide and media agency Vizeum, the ‘New Original’ campaign launches on London Liverpool Street’s ‘Wonderwall’ before rolling our across the UK.

The Liverpool Street stations is believed to be the world’s longest single poster in London’s Liverpool Street Station, taking up an entire tube platform in order to unpack all the benefits of the new model in one swoop.

“We created New Original to let consumers know that they can now have the best of both worlds: Mini’s feisty, fun-loving spirit of the original 1959 model, with all the latest cutting-edge driving technology," said Michelle Roberts, general manager brand communications at Mini UK, explained. "We’ve had a fantastic response so far on the new Hatch and I think a lot of people will be truly surprised about the drive that this Mini packs.”

“We wanted Mini to be celebrated not just for its iconic status in British society, but for how it encapsulates technological advancements in driving," said Richard Morris, managing director, Vizeum. "Liverpool Street Station’s Wonderwall represents the ideal, immersive space to bring the benefits and distinctiveness of Mini to life.

Fiat to promote family range in sponsorship of new Channel 4 series of One Born Every Minute

POSTED BY ANGELA HAGGERTY 

Fiat has been named the sponsor of the new series of Channel 4’s One Born Every Minute, which launches tonight (24 February).

The car brand will use the slot to promote its 500L family range and its set of three idents – created by Krow Communications – feature a voiceover from comedian Arthur Smith for the Brian the Bear character.

Elena Bernardelli, marketing director at Fiat UK, said: “One Born Every Minute is one of the most life affirming programmes on TV and is focused around early parenthood.

“Fiat 500L communications are all about celebrating real-life parenting moments which is why the show is such a great fit. We really hope parents everywhere will recognise their own life experiences in the brand’s surprisingly honest and humorous take on everyday family life.”

The partnership was brokered by Maxus.

Asos partners with Benefit and Citroen to launch online car boutique

by Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, 13.03.2014

Asos: launches online car boutique with Citroen and make-up brand Benefit

Asos has partnered with make-up brand Benefit and Citroen to launch an online car boutique.

The boutique is hosted on a microsite at Asos.com and has embedded video content that allows people to digitally test drive a new car, which has been shot on green screen to create hyper-real worlds.

The site will also introduce the new Citroen DS3 model, the result of the car marque's tie-up with Benefit. The partnership was brokered by OMD UK.

People will be able to browse the full specs of the cars and colour options online, and the activity is supported by a competition to win the new car, with runners-up receiving Asos vouchers. The first 10 purchases of the car will also result in £200 ASOS vouchers.

Jules Tilstone, marketing director at Citroën UK said: "Citroën and Benefit have brought some fun and original ideas to these collaboration models, and through the unique digital boutique environment Asos is creating to showcase the collection, we look forward to introducing a huge new audience to the style and charm of the Citroën DS3 by Benefit range – the height of four-wheel-fashion."

Asos said, "We are delighted to announce this microsite showcasing the stylish Citroën DS3 by Benefit collection in a new innovative way.

"The result is a unique online car boutique at the heart of the Asos environment where our customers can view the full spectrum of the cars in the most fashionable setting and from the comfort of their own space."

Actors Behind Loki and Lord Blackwood Join Jaguar's Villainous Super Bowl Ad

 Spot to star Tom Hiddleston, Mark Strong and Ben Kingsley By David Griner

• January 14, 2014, 9:45 AM EST
• Advertising & Branding

Jaguar and agency Spark 44 have revealed the full cast of conniving characters for their upcoming Super Bowl ad, a celebration of British Villains titled "Rendezvous."

While legendary actor Ben Kingsley's appearance had already been teased in an online clip posted a few days ago, the brand confirmed today the spot will also feature Tom Hiddleston (who plays Thor's sinister sibling, Loki, in Marvel's recent Avengers films) and lesser-known actor Mark Strong, best known as the evil Lord Blackwood in the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes.

The spot will be the brand's first Super Bowl ad and will focus on the automaker's new F-Type coupe. A microsite dedicated to the ad and the car it's promoting is already live atBritishVillains.com.

"With 'British Villains,' Jaguar will present itself on the Super Bowl stage as a challenger to the usual luxury car suspects, with a unique cinematic expression of our modern British style,' Jaguar North America brand vp Jeff Curry said in a statement.

"With the three renowned actors, Sir Ben, Tom and Mark, who have all played memorable film rogues, we have brought together the best of British film to star in a major motion picture caliber campaign that addresses the simple cultural observation that Brits often play the best villains in film. This talent, coupled with the direction of Academy Award-winner director Tom Hooper, enables us to launch our campaign for the F-Type coupe in a manner that captures the new spirit of the entire brand inspired by our latest sports car."

The brand's announcement also included a quote from Kingsley, whose credits range from pacifist heroes in Gandhi and Schindler's List to repulsive villains in Sexy Beast and Death and the Maiden. The actor seemed a bit dubious of being hired to epitomize British villainy:

"Jaguar is truly a beloved British brand and it’s exciting to help them make some noise as they debut in a beloved American event, the Super Bowl. As for being known for playing the roles of renowned villains, I’ll have to ponder that one. I think I'm flattered?"

Jaguar also announced the following details about its Super Bowl ad and the campaign surrounding it:

• While the spot will be 60 seconds, a 30-second preview will be posted online Jan. 28.
• The score for the "Rendezvous" ad  was composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat, who worked with director Hooper on The King's Speech. It was recorded by The London Symphony Orchestra at the famed Abbey Road studios.
• The brand will be monitoring and responding to the ad's real-time responses through a social listening command center created by media agency Mindshare and called "The Loop."
• In addition to social media responses, The Loop will be used to quickly shift digital advertising dollars depending on where and how discussion of the spot catches on.
• A 30-second version of the Super Bowl ad will run on major cable networks throughout February.
• Out-of-home ad placements in New York City will include the wrapping of 10 subway cars on the F-Train line via CBSOutdoor.

For many more details on the advertising confirmed for this year's big game, be sure tocheck out Adweek's Super Bowl Ad Tracker.

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/actors-behind-loki-and-lord-blackwood-join-jaguars-villainous-super-bowl-ad-154962

MINI OPENS FIRST POP-UP STORE IN UK

February 17, 2012 7:22 am

This week Mini opened its doors to a completely new retail adventure at Westfield Stratford City.  The Mini pop-up, which will be open for 12 months only, will showcase the two newest Mini models, the Mini Coupe and the Mini Countryman and will also sell a full range of Mini lifestyle merchandise.

The store is the first of its kind in the UK, bringing the much loved British car brand out of the traditional dealership setting and onto the high street.

During its first few days in business the store which is a joint venture between MINI UK and the dealership group Sytner, has already attracted over 4000 visitors.

The Store showcases the latest in retail technology, customers can use the UK’s first 3D car configurator to create their very own Mini, and if they catch the Mini bug they can request a test drive at their local dealership. The Mini Store also features a clever interactive mirror allowing shoppers to try on outfits without removing their clothes.

The  Mini Store is located on the walk way to the Olympic Park, a prime location to entice Westfield’s 850,000 visitors per week, and stocks the very latest products from the 2012 Mini Collection, including the brand new ‘Beat the Street’ clothing line, John Cooper Works apparel, Mini luggage and even an electric Mini Convertible for children.

The store has created 12 new jobs, which have all been recruited from the local area and have been fully trained by Mini, equipping them to deliver first class customer service.

Jochen Goller, Director MINI UK said “The Mini Store in Westfield Stratford City is an exciting new approach for our brand, for the first time we are giving shoppers the opportunity to browse the latest Mini models in a retail setting which is completely removed from the established car showroom environment.  In addition, since Mini launched just over 10 years ago we have developed a massive community of fans and enthusiasts for whom Mini is much more than just a car brand. These fans love to accessorise their cars and their lives with everything from miniature Mini fridge magnets to Mini folding bikes, so we are delighted to make the full range of products available for the first time on the high street. Over the next year we will be listening to and learning from what visitors to the Westfield store have to say about what they expect from their car retail experience.”

Myf Ryan, General Manager Marketing Westfield UK said: “We are delighted to welcome Mini to Westfield Stratford City. As a cutting edge, contemporary brand, Mini is ideally suited to Westfield Stratford City’s young and trend conscious consumer. This unique venture highlights the versatility of the centre to adapt to the needs of our retailers – now, through the Games and beyond.”

Audi UK: Paint Battle

http://www.bestadsontv.com/ad/57471/Audi-UK-Paint-Battle

Mini Flashes Personalized Billboard Messages at Drivers of Its Vehicles How are you today?

I sometimes think billboards are watching, beaming out messages meant just for me. Then I get back on my meds, and everything seems fine. Anyway, BMW's Mini, as part of its "Not Normal" campaign, worked with agencies Iris and Vizeum over the summer to personalize content to drivers of its cars on nine consecutive digital billboards along a busy London motorway. Spotters armed with iPads identified approaching Minis, and the text and images on the boards were then tailored to the individual cars. Drivers' photos were even flashed on signs further up the road. Offers of commuting snacks, car washes and flowers were also in the mix. For example, a driver in a grey Mini drove past successive signs that read, "Early start, Mr. Grey Mini driver? … Need a pick me up? … Fancy a tasty bacon butty? … Mini's buying … See you at the next garage." Nearly 2,000 Mini drivers received such personal greetings in a week. All those folks driving Vauxhalls probably felt sullen and neglected. But that's nothing new for them, now is it?



http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/mini-flashes-personalized-billboard-messages-drivers-its-vehicles-152356

Kinetic Singapore gives birth to Mini royalty

It's a boy! If good things come in small packages, what about great things? Kinetic Singapore created this MINI Singapore film to welcome the royal baby the MINI way.

Volkswagen My Way TVC

Volkswagen Prison Break - Print Ad


Volkswagen City Emergency Brake stops the car automatically if the driver hasn't seen an impending collision. You never what you're going to see out on the roads and this campaign brings the benefits of the technology to life by showing different scenarios that might distract you from the road in front. 

Auto and Creative Agency Collabs: The Snow Machine on a Mercedes Benz Truck

An internal project for the Weapon7 agency Christmas card 2012. The Snow Machine was an experiential event in Covent garden featuring a Twitter powered snow machine, an eight ton Mercedes-Benz Unimog and copious amounts of fake snow. Passers by were invited to Tweet #snow to @thesnowmachine Twitter account, this would then cause ten seconds of snow flurry from the snow machine. The event ran all day was seen by thousands of people culminating in over one thousand tweets and gaining newspaper coverage for the agency.

Read more in CreativeSandbox

Ford Fiesta Ad in MSNcars UK highlights Top Gadgets for Women

See the in-market article in its original environment here.

Copy of the article pasted here as such:

Ford Dealership Dagenham Motors Edgware Road is piloting an initiative to help consumers get a better understanding of in-car technology with the first event targeted at women drivers. The event is to be held on ‘New Fiesta Day’ on 24th January and will provide expert knowledge and demonstrations by in-house experts regarding the latest innovative technology from Ford.  All designed to enhance your driving experience and keep you and your family safe.  Book you place now.

 

To celebrate, we’ve rounded-up a selection of top gadgets that might also appeal to women.

 

About the New Ford Fiesta

Like a brand new smartphone, the New Ford Fiesta combines contemporary style, with state-of-the-art technology. And every feature’s designed to help you get the most out of your day.

 

With Ford SYNC you can select a music track from USB or MP3/IPOD, or stream it from your mobile via Bluetooth connectivity. The system enables you to make and receive calls using simple voice commands. Additionally, SYNC even reads your text messages aloud, and responds by using pre selected commands, enabling you to stay connected to friends and family while on the move. Not to mention should you get in to trouble SYNC Emergency Assist can alert local emergency services operators in 26 languages, spoken in 40 European regions – more than any rival technology.

 

You won’t have to stop for fuel too often either: the award-winning 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine combines satisfying power with exceptional fuel-efficiency of up to 65.7 mpg.

 

A range of innovative technologies will make your every drive safe, comfortable, entertaining, and fun. And the car comes in a range of 12 striking colours.

 

Top 10 technology integrations in the new Ford Fiesta

 

1. Never Get Lost: The Fiesta has a fully integrated satnav system with a 5” colour screen and DAB audio. This responds to real-time road speed and the latest traffic conditions, delivering more accurate estimated arrival times and trip information.

 

2. The View: Clear your windscreen quickly, with Quickclear. This clever feature is designed to get you on the move quickly on frosty mornings. Just touch a button and the system can de-ice or defrost the screen in seconds, even if it’s below zero outside.

 

3. Key Free: The Ford Keyless Entry system lets you lock and unlock your car, without having to take your key out of your pocket or bag. Ideal when you’ve got your hands full.

 

4. Stress Free Parking: Designed to help you park more confidently, optional parking distance sensors help you judge the distance between your vehicle and obstacles, both in front and behind you. When the sensors detect an object, they activate an audible warning that intensifies the closer you get to it.

 

5. Light Your Way Home: When you arrive home at night, you just flash the left stalk and the Home Safe headlights will stay on for 30-seconds lighting your way from the car. This useful feature is standard across the whole range.

 

6. Automatic Headlights: Fiesta has sensors that detect failing light at dusk, or when there’s a sudden change in light conditions. For example, if you enter a tunnel. This triggers the auto-headlights to turn themselves on, which can make driving both easier and safer.

 

7. Start the Fiesta with a single touch: Fiesta automatically senses the presence of its own unique key fob, even if it’s in your pocket or bag. So just press the Ford Power Starter Button and the engine fires to life.

 

8. Easier, safer reversing: Bollards, bicycles, low walls…The rear view camera shows whatever’s behind you on a screen built into the centre console. As well as revealing objects you might miss, the system displays virtual lines to help you park into the smallest of spaces. The camera activates automatically when you select reverse gear.

 

9. Avoid low speed collisions: Accidents in stop-start, slow moving traffic happen all-too frequently. And Active City Stop is an advanced technology designed to help you avoid them. At speeds of under 19mph, the system detects if the car in front has unexpectedly stopped, and automatically applies the brakes for you.

 

10. Use less fuel with Auto-Start-Stop: When the Fiesta is at traffic lights or idling in a queue, this technology automatically switches off the engine (while still supplying power to essentials like the air conditioning and radio). The moment you're ready to move, it restarts. It's ideal if you drive in town, as it can cut your fuel consumption by up to 10%."

Peugeot's Hybrid Graphic Novel

The site attempts to draw in a tech savvy, blockbuster, action-loving audience by introducing the Peugeot's new Hybrid 4 car through a graphic novel lead in. Site visitors travel with a sexy leading lady who uses 4 different travel modes to combat her pursuers. Talk about metaphor vehicle! (The 4 different travel modes is also found in the Peugeot's Hybrid 4)

Once the adventure is done, the site brings the visitor to the Hybrid main page.

View the story here: http://graphicnovel-hybrid4.peugeot.com/start.html
(You might want to take Dramamine before viewing.)

Check out more of the information here in the Google Creative Sandbox.

Renault's Drive the Change

 Using the above video ad as the core message, the Manning Gottlieb OMD team built a platform on Double Click that improves tracking and reduce statistical discrepancies in reporting. It also serves the ads on a trageted basis cross Google's AdMob network.

To understand more about this campaign, check out the Google Creative Sandbox page.

Honda CR-V: Do More new on StreetView

 
 
Do More New is an interactive site from Collective, London for Honda using Google Street View to encourage people to try out new places.

Test drive it here with a random UK postal code (Suggestions: CB2 3QJ, IP32 7AR): http://www.crvdomorenew.co.uk/