Creative Criminals

Volkswagen introduces its 5th generation of the Polo. Apparently the new Polo is so versatile it can get you to some unforeseen places. It all starts with someone spreading a rumor about the boss that is hitting on the new assistant while she really just likes the car.

This is amazing, the idea is really simple and very cheap.
In times of ‘the financial crisis’ it’s important to communicate that cars are becoming more fuel efficient. And the medium that fits the most in this theme is money itself off course. DDB Berlin distributed 5,000 modified euro bills, the only thing they did was put a stamp on them. Estimates are they reached over 50,000 people with this campaign. Surely not everyone who got this bill saw the stamp, but it still has a lot of impact for it’s price. The only question I have with this idea… Is it legal?

DDB Berlin has altered some world famous paintings. They used works of Dali, Bosh and Magritte. They kept the artists’ specific style but changed the theme to the new Polo BlueMotion. This Polo Bluemotion has an ‘absurdly low consumption’ according to Volkswagen. You can find this low consumption in the paintings. I personally love this style, it’s some amazing artwork!

People dream of having the perfect car but now even the cars want to look perfect. Ogilvy Cape Town in South Africa used hanging mobiles in a shopping mall’s parking lot. It gave drivers insight into their car’s mind with the following slogan: I wish I was a new GTI VW.

This reminds me of a campaign that was made for Mini Cooper. While people were test driving a mini cooper a sticker with the slogan “I wish I was a Mini” was placed on their old car.

This is the new print campaign for Volkswagen Classical Parts, and as you can see it’s an almost identical copy of the 1950 ‘Think small’ campaign.

The cool thing they’ve done with this new campaign is altering the text on the bottom.

Take a look at the original body:
18 New York University students have gotten into a sun-roof VW; a tight fit. The Volkswagen is sensibly sized for a family. Mother, Father, and three growing kids suit it nicely. In economy runs, the VW averages close to 50 miles per gallon. You won’t do near that; after all, professional drivers have canny trade secrets. (Want to know some? Write VW, Box #65, Englewood, N. J.) Use regular gas and forget about oil between changes. The VW is 4 feet shorter than a conventional car (yet has as much leg room up front). While other cars are doomed to roam the crowded streets, you park in tiny places. VW spare parts are inexpensive. A new front fender (at an authorized VW dealer) is $21.75.* A cylinder head, $19.95.* The nice thing is, they’re seldom needed. A new Volkswagen sedan is $1,565.* Other than a radio and side view mirror, that includes everything you’ll really need. In 1959 about 120,000 Americans thought small and bought VWs.
Think about it.

In this campaign the tekst says this:
Our little car isn’t so much of a novelty any more. A couple of college kids don’t try to squeeze inside it. the guy at the gas station doesn’t ask where the gas goes. Nobody even stares at our shape. In fact, some people who drive our little flivver don’t even think 32 miles to the gallon is going any great guns. Or using five pints of oil instead of five quarts. Or never needing anti-freeze. Or racking up 40,000 miles on a set of tires. That’s because once you get used to some of our economies, you don’t even think about them any more. Except when you squeeze into a small parking spot. Or renew your small insurance. Or pay a small repair bill. Or trade in your old VW for a new one.
Think it over.

You have to admit, this is some genious copywriting.

What happens if you go out and you leave your dog, alone with your fish..
Yes that’s right, you get a ‘Dog Fish’.
This is a wonderful commercial (january) of Volkswagen by DDB (and won some prices at Cannes Lions 2009).
I thought it was worth it to put it on our site!

Today I came across two really cool videos made by Volkswagen. It’s about Volkswagen that wants to help by improving the environment. Take the stairs instead of the escalator and feel better and throw your garbage in a garbage can..



If you want to see the second video,

This idea is just so fresh! Really cool…
Also congratz to Giacomo Biagi, the photographer for this one.

Not every commercial has to be funny or really nice animated with special effects. Sometimes a commercial can just tell a story. Or as somebody said on Youtube:

1. Emotional animal story – Check
2. Hot chick – Check
3. Nice car shot to bring it all together – Check

There’s some nice photography behind this ad! And the idea is also pretty good.