Known for Ninja® motorcycles, JET SKI® personal watercraft and MULE™ side x sides, Kawasaki will literally blaze a new trail at Super Bowl LVIII with the first-ever Big Game spot for an off-road side x side vehicle to promote their new Kawasaki RIDGE side x side. The commercial, created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), pays homage to an all-American hairstyle that’s roared back to popularity in recent years: the mullet.
Directed by Dave Laden and Christopher Gruse via Hungry Man, the ad features two adventure seekers who magically grow mullets upon entering the RIDGE. As the duo tear across backcountry roads, creatures such as bald eagles and bears sprout mullets that look like they’re straight out of an ’80s metal show—culminating in the famously hair-free pro wrestling legend (and real-life Kawasaki enthusiast) Steve Austin suddenly sporting a blonde mullet as the RIDGE passes him by.
“This has all the earmarks of great Super Bowl advertising. Instant RIDGE action. Animals. A big name. Humor. And mullets. Watch any NBA game or hot video. The mullet is everywhere,” said Jeff Goodby, co-founder and co-chairman, GS&P. “Given the hairstyle’s versatile nature, it’s an unexpectedly simple way to introduce the RIDGE.”
GS&P has a history of making its advertising mark on the Super Bowl. Over the years it’s created memorable ads for Doritos, Cheetos, bubly, Pepsi, BMW, Hyundai, Emerald Nuts, E*TRADE and Budweiser, among many others.
Credits
Client Kawasaki Agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners Brett Beaty, Ryan Tovani, AJ Warren, creative directors; Jim Haight, head of production; Molly Troy, sr. broadcast producer; Adam Arola, group brand strategy director; Kelly Kikuchi, brand strategist. Production Company Hungry Man Dave Laden, Christopher Gruse, directors; Caleb Dewart, managing partner/exec producer; Kim Dellara, partner/exec producer; Franchesca McDowell, Marian Harkness, heads of production; Robby Mooring, producer; Vanessa Lenarduzzi, production manager; Ken Seng, DP; Katherine Reynolds, production designer. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors Lauren Dellara, editor; Sam Slavkin, assistant editor; Denice Hutton, exec post producer; Shada Shariatzadeh, Dre Krichevsky, exec producers; Janae Abraham, head of production. VFX The Mill Christian Nielson, James Allen, creative directors; Paul Yacono, colorist; Jessica Groom Shelton, CG supervisor; Will Arias, CG lead; Vaibhav Gupta, DFX supervisor; Greg Rubner, designer; Hillary Thomas, exec producer; Krista Staudt, exec producer, color; Warwick Hewett, Katie Buckley, producers; Denise Brown, color producer; Anuradha Behera, project manager; Gauri Dilip Kulkarni, associate producer; Rihza Ibrahimkutty, production coordinator. Sound Lime Studios Michael Anastasi, sound designer; Michael Baran, sound design assistant; Joel Waters, audio mixer; Kris Huayta, audio assistant; Cassie Underwood, producer; Susie Boyajan, exec producer. Music Company Songs for Film and T.V. David Fisher, music supervisor; Amelia “Meels” Einhorn, music coordinator. Song: “O YA”; Colony House, artist; Caleb Chapman, Will Chapman, songwriters.
This trailer promotes Charge Around The Globe, a new adventure docuseries that follows record-breaking traveler Lexie Limitless on an extraordinary journey to circumnavigate the globe in an electric vehicle--traveling over 30,000 kilometers across six continents, all in pursuit of one world record. The three-part series on Prime Video in the U.K. showcases the capabilities of modern electric vehicles while immersing viewers in the numerous experiences and challenges Lexie encounters throughout her journey. As she navigates various challenges throughout her trip, Charge Around the Globe serves as a testament to the spirit of exploration. Ford, Wieden+Kennedy London and WracK teamed on the series.
The documentary aims to address the primary concern hindering many consumers from transitioning to electric: doubts about the range and capability of electric vehicles. As a 120-year-old brand, Ford looked to its past as inspiration for the switch that’s taking place today. Over a century ago, pioneering explorer Aloha Wanderwell set off from Nice at the age of 16 to become the first woman to drive around the world in a Ford Model T. Now, in 2024, we get to see Lexie, the youngest person to visit every country in the world, take to the wheel of the electric Ford Explorer, reinventing that historic journey for a new generation. Along the way, she meets extraordinary people, navigates difficult terrains, and faces the challenges of a constantly evolving charging infrastructure that puts her to the test.
“Charge Around The Globe has been the ultimate test drive for our new electric Ford Explorer. We took on every kind of weather and road condition and dealt with just about every charging scenario. The journey embodies the true... Read More
