• by Tanya Gazdik , February 11, 2018

Sixt Rent a Car has launched a Valentine’s Day-themed ad campaign with a twist of an ending. 

The #ValentinesFairytale effort uses a three-minute film to rope viewers into a compelling tale of a late middle-age love story. Known around the globe for its unconventional advertising style, the German brand is bringing this approach to the U.S. with the debut of its Valentine's Day campaign from agency Thjnk in Munich and production house Tempomedia.

The worldwide affordable luxury car rental service has more than 2,000 locations in over 100 countries. Operating in the U.S. since 2011, the company has grown to become the nation's fifth-largest car rental provider.

"As with Super Bowl ads here in the U.S., consumers overseas famously look forward to the next splash we're going to make to capture their attention,” said Daniel Florence, COO of Sixt USA, in a release. “Fueled by our rapid expansion here, we felt that Valentine's Day 2018 was the right time to introduce Americans to this approach.”

The campaign centers on a lavishly produced TV spot, depicting an elderly woman in a rental car embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip to places where she created memories with a long-lost love as she searches to connect. Featuring a surprising twist at the end, the ad ends with the line, "Okay, we can't do emotional. But we can do affordable." It is being distributed globally on digital channels, social media, in newsletters, and in advertising at airports and other locations.

Food brands seem to be taking the lead in celebrating the love-oriented holiday. 

TGI Fridays and Pocky have collaborated to introduce Red Velvet Sparkler Cake, a dessert creation that is already getting attention via Tweets, Instagram posts and Facebook shares.This is the first time Ezaki Glico USA has collaborated with a major national restaurant chain since expanding to the United States in 2003. The new dessert features red velvet cake, layered with cream cheese frosting and topped with red and white sprinkles. It's served in a bowl of strawberry fizz candy clusters and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and topped off with Strawberry Pocky.

Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering heart-shaped bagels. The fun treats will be available for order between now and Valentine's Day in the flavors of chocolate chip, cranberry and plain. For last-minute purchases on Valentine's Day, the company will offer chocolate chip heart-shaped bagels for drop-in purchase.

Reservations for this year's White Castle Valentine's Day dinner are being made, but there are still a few left for last-minute Cravers looking for a unique Valentine's Day experience. For the first time since the event's inception, diners can now book reservations online through OpenTable.com or the OpenTable app. The unique dinner has been going on for 27 years.