Out to Launch

• by Amy Corr , Staff Writer @MediaPostOTL, April 25, 2012

Mitsubishi Motors North America has launched “Temp Drive,” a campaign that will award three lucky car buyers the opportunity to test-drive a 2012 Outlander Sport for an entire work day… meaning Mitsubishi will send a temp to do your day job while you frolic. A teaser TV spot shows a businessman standing outside his office as his doppelganger drives up in an Outlander Sport, switching places with him. See it here. Replacement workers include quirky characters like an opera singer, magician, DJ, librarian, meteorologist and rocket scientist. Drivers can sign up online for a chance to win a play day. 180LA created the campaign. Possible Worldwide is handling digital work.

Planters teamed up with Men’s Health magazine to create NUT•rition Men’s Health Recommended Mix, also known as the “manliest mix we’ve ever assembled.” In a supporting TV spot, Mr. Peanut is kicking butt with his friends Alejandro the Almond and an unnamed pistachio character. Think of a macho combination of A-Team, James Bond and Rocky, along with the sensitive side of Patrick Swayze in “Ghost.” My favorite scene is when the trio exercise in a crude gym, an homage to “Rocky IV.” Watch it here. The trio also scored the back cover of Men’s Health’s May issue. BEING created the campaign.

The fictitious Weyland Industries launched an online video promoting its latest generation of lifelike androids. The 2:20 film, “Happy Birthday David,” promotes the upcoming film “Prometheus,” directed by Ridley Scott and starring Michael Fassbender as the android, David. Quite convincingly, I might add. In the video, David is interviewed by a voice from Weyland Industries that asks him questions like what can he do, what does he think about, what makes him sad. David says he’s able to “carry out directives that my human counterparts might find distressing or unethical.” Yet certain topics make him miserable: “war, poverty, cruelty, unnecessary violence. I understand human emotions although I do not feel them myself,” he says. The spot closes with David smelling flowers and a close-up of his fingerprint, with the Weyland logo inside. See the video here, directed by Johnny Hardstaff from Little Minx/RSA.

Supercuts launched "Rock the Cut," a series of documentary-style spots featuring upcoming bands and DJs and their Supercuts stylists. In one video, DJ Ken Loi is shown mixing beats before and during a show, making a crowded dance floor go wild. Loi is next seen with Allie, the Supercuts stylist who regularly cuts his hair. See it here. The next video, featuring the band Vintage Trouble, does a better job at combining music and hairstyle. Each band member has a different look they’re after, and stylist Diana is able to make it happen. Watch it here. Element 79 created the campaign, directed by Barney Miller of DETOX.

Aww. Poor Michael Jordan. Not that Michael Jordan. In the latest TV spot in ESPN’s "It's Not Crazy, It's Sports" campaign, a man who shares the same name with the basketball star sees the utter disappointment in people’s faces when they find out he’s not that Michael Jordan. The receptionist at the doctor’s office, the pizza delivery guy, the maitre de at an upscale restaurant and the driver picking MJ up at the airport fail to hide their letdown when they realize it’s not their beloved athlete. I loved the scene when the bottle of fancy champagne was nixed when the other MJ claimed his reservation. See the ad here, created by Wieden+Kennedy New York.

The Best Friends Animal Society is hoping to make Los Angeles a no-kill city by 2017. Last year, 17,000 adoptable animals were euthanized in L.A. A black-and-white TV spot, “NKLA,” shows adorable, adoptable dogs and cats inside shelters awaiting homes. It also features the dedicated workers who are helping to keep these animals alive and turn L.A. into a no-kill city. This video will tug at your heartstrings. Watch it here, created by Let There Be Dragons.

Most people aren’t themselves until they’ve had that first cup of coffee in the morning. Nescafé shows just how off one man is before he drinks Nescafé 3 in 1 coffee. Inside the man’s kitchen, paintings are hung upside down, his floor mat is made of artificial turf and his small dog is a cross between a porcupine and lizard. Once the man drinks his coffee, his floor mat returns to a normal color and his “Strange Animal” is back to being an adorable dog. See it here, created by Publicis Toronto, and directed by Russ Lamoureux of OPC.

Southeast Toyota Distributors launched an ad for the Toyota Prius illustrating that the car is for everyone, not just celebrities and environmentalists. A celebrity diva, resembling Rachel McAdams, exits a posh hotel, complete with a red carpet. When she nears her Prius, her expensive dress is shed for a practical outfit of capris and a blouse. Next, her expensive handbag transforms into a diaper bag and the backseat is shown to have enough room for a baby seat and grown-ups. Watch "Hollywood" here, created by 22squared.

Random iPhone App of the week: The U.S. Air Force launched the Tech Hangar app to educate users about its array of aircraft, both past and present. The app includes videos, photos and descriptions of fighters, bombers, remotely piloted aircraft, transport planes, rotocraft, and x-planes. Did you know the F-22 Raptor is the U.S. Air Force's newest fighter aircraft? Learn more by downloading the app, available for free in the App Store. GSD&M and SuperDeluxe created the app.