Here's a nice medley of Ferrari Formula 1 Cars through the decades, thanks to the marketing communications folks at Shell. Lots of nice touches, from including a front-engine Ferrari race car (that's the first one), to the use of period-correct large-window full-face helmets for the racer from the 70's, to the exquisite V12 & V8 soundtracks, well done. Bravo.
It does feel like a bit of an homage to the Honda Impossible Dreams commercial, which benefits from tighter editing, a humorous plot line, and a wonderful soundtrack. Not trying to be overly critical here, just calling it like I see it. While the Honda commercial evokes a strong emotional reaction, the Shell ad leaves one feeling a bit flat in comparison. Nothing wrong with it, but if brands are all about how they make you feel, then a commercial which is all about building meaning should fire on all emotional cylinders, as it were. A reminder of how great reflective design is so hard to do.
Okay, excuse me while I go listen to those V12's on overrun once again... Forza Ferrari!
Many thanks to Doug from out in metacoolland for pointing this video out to me.
26march update: here's a link to a Quicktime version of the Ferrari-Shell ad, much higher quality
Aaaaaaaahhhhhh! Awesome ad. There is nothing quite like the sound of a racing engine with the barks and deep bass of the V-8s to the shrieks and banshee wails of the V-12s.
This was a proper way to end last weekend as I got to spend some time carving up canyon roads in a new Porsche with the top down (not mine unfortunately).
Posted by: BWJones | 26 March 2007 at 11:49 AM
Have you seen this great mashup of Google Maps and 30 year old video of driving at high speed around Paris? The sound is not as good, but it's done for real.
http://bhendrix.com/wall/Gmaps_GVideo_Mashup_Rendezvous.html
Posted by: richardsona | 12 April 2007 at 11:15 AM