Out to Launch
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
By
Los Cabos rebuilds following devastating hurricane. Ears get exercise in Sony Canada ad. Let's launch!

  • gatoradeGatorade will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015. TBWA\Chiat\Day LA created a 60-second TV spot highlighting memorable moments throughout sports history that took hard work, determination, and maybe a little Gatorade. "50" aired for the first time on Christmas Day during the OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA game, and will continue airing throughout the College Football Playoffs and Championship, beginning 12/31 on ESPN. The ad opens with a shot of the 1965 Florida Gators football team, the birthplace of Gatorade, and continues through a montage of 50 iconic sports moments related to the brand. The voiceover counts to 50 using famous sports jerseys or the number of points Michael Jordan scored in a game or the number of championships the Yankees have won over the years. Also look out for Mia Hamm, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter, Joe Namath, Usain Bolt and Pat Summitt, among others. See it here. "50" will have a digital extension allowing users to learn the back stories of several moments featured in the TV commercial on Gatorade's YouTube page.

  • NorwegianLive from New York it's Norwegian Airlines? Norwegian launched a real-time, out-of-home campaign to encourage Norwegians to step out of their comfort zone and take a trip... perhaps to another time zone. The brand outfitted a New York City taxi cab with a 360 degree camera that interacted with a digital screen at a mall in Oslo. Mall pedestrians could control the cab's camera and see the sights of New York, as the "Norwegian Red Cab" drove through Chelsea, Park Avenue and past memorable sights like Carnegie Hall. The campaign's goal is to illustrate that New York City is close by with Norwegian's direct flights. Watch the cab in action here, created by M&C Saatchi Stockholm.

  • nissanAn unexpected road trip takes place for one couple with a passion for birdwatching. In an ad for Nissan Altima, we find a bird who has strayed from his flock. This leaves a husband and wife to catch the bird -- I wish they showed that process -- and track down its migrating pals. Working on just a single tank of gas, following some help from strangers, the couple park their car and the flock appears. Reunited and it feels so good. See it here, created by TBWA\Chiat\Day LA.

  • caboMexico Tourism's latest TV spot informs North American travelers that Los Cabos is back open after getting hit by Hurricane Odile on Sept. 14. "Los Cabos #Unstoppable" shows how big a difference 45 days made, with Cabo San Lucas and San Jose de Cabo back open and ready for business. The spot uses actual Cabo locals, who are seen stretching and warming up to welcome guests back to their city. Included in the ad are real hotel personnel, golf caddies, ship captains and even an air traffic controller. The ad is also heavy on the stunning water, beaches, golf courses, shops and hotels that tourists love about Cabo. The ad will run in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. See it here, created by Lapiz USA.

  • sonycanadaSony Canada puts your ears to work in preparation for listening to high-res audio. The latest ad in the "Get Your Ears Ready" campaign stars a man wearing a cowboy hat and sitting at a table. Nothing exciting, until the camera pans close to the man's ears. They are moving up and down like they're doing crunches -- because they are. "Get your ears ready" closes the ad, seen here. "Ear Crunches" is running online, on specialty music channels and in theaters across Canada. The ad follows "The Ear Workout," which launched over the summer. DDB Canada Toronto created the campaign.

  • Power WheelsJust how tough are those adorable Power Wheels Ford F-150 trucks that kids love to drive? They are strong enough to shoulder the weight of an actual Ford F-150 truck, weighing in at 4,120 pounds. Four of the Power Wheels F-150s were placed under the tires of a real F-150. A metal cradle was added to hold the tires in place and then the actual truck was lowered gently down. To my surprise, the mini trucks held the giant one. See it here. The Power Wheels F-150 has a roomy truck bed, working tailgate and chrome wheels and grill, just like the real thing.

  • beesCascadian Farm is big on bees. As part of its "Bee Friendlier" campaign, the company planted wildflowers in a unique way, to increase the bee population of a California farming community. A crop duster flew above a farm in Yolo County, Calif. equipped with seedles, a round mixture of clay, compost and wildflower seeds, dropping them to help increase the bee population and hopefully inspire others to plant wildflowers in a smaller amount. Every bit helps. Watch it here, created by Solve.

  • easyjetThe White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland is calm and punctual when he flies on Easy Jet. Actor Hugh Laurie lends his voice to the commercial targeting business travelers. The ad features the rabbit calmly walking though an airport, waiting for his flight. Thanks to Easy Jet, he'll arrive on time. See it here, created by VCCP and produced by Believe Media.