Utes have their critics and they’re vocal about what they dislike. So in the new Amarok’s launch film, Alan from Volkswagen embarks on an epic journey across the nation to prove the ute trolls wrong about their criticisms. Alan has also taken over Volkswagen’s social media channels, responding to ute critics in a series of personalised responses and videos that hero the Amarok’s new features.
The campaign, Born from Tough Love, by DDB Sydney responds to ute critics head-on to prove that the Amarok is the answer to the brutally honest criticism of the ute category.
DDB Sydney chief strategy officer, Fran Clayton, stated,“Unlike most categories, utes are a conversation, not just a product. Our approach on Amarok is always to start with the conversation and find ways to play with it. Aussies’ love for utes comes with high expectations and vocal critics who deserve a response.”
Born from Tough Love tackles ute critics’ biggest pain points and engages with them directly on all mediums, across social media, radio, digital, OOH, cinema and TV.
Volkswagen commercial vehicles head of marketing and product, Nathan Johnson, stated, “The next-gen Amarok was designed in Australia over the last three years, reimagined to introduce more tech, advanced safety, a completely new design and epic power. By addressing ute fans’ valid criticisms, we’ve created a ute without compromise. The new Amarok is the ute Born From Tough Love.”
DDB Sydney executive creative director, Matt Chandler, commented, “We all know the comments section can be a brutal place, so it was cathartic to see the Volkswagen team get out there and take on the trolls with the truth about the All-New Amarok.”
Born From Tough Love is the latest chapter in the Amarok story. A long line of famous work launching the Amarok over the years includes Naked Ute, Too Powerful for TV, and Walkinshaw Station.
Credits:
Client: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Amarok)
National Manager Marketing and Product: Nathan Johnson
Product Marketing Manager: James Thompson
Marketing Communications Manager: Sarah Walker
Marketing Specialist: Kelly Sheehan
Creative Agency: DDB Sydney
National Chief Creative Officer Australia: Stephen de Wolf
Chief Strategy Officer: Fran Clayton
Executive Creative Director: Matt Chandler
Executive Creative Director (Tribal): David Jackson
Senior Creatives: Andrew Torrisi & Stephanie Allen
Planning Director: Joseph Smeaton
Managing Partner: Nick Russo
Senior Business Director: Laura Oleart
Business Executive: Oscar Kennedy
Group Head of Delivery: Adrian Jung
Senior Producer: Rene Shalala
Print Producer: Claudia Brookes
Digital Producer: Anna Sajo
Motion Designer: Vincent Salinos
Group Head of CX: Kenny McLeod
Business Manager (DDB Tribal): Alasdair Kay
PX Strategy Lead (DDB Track): Harrison Schaap
Senior Designer: Paul Jansen
Production Company: FINCH
Director: The Bobbsey Twins from Homicide
Managing Director & Executive Producer: Corey Esse
Executive Producer: Nick Simkins
Producer: Alexandra Taussig
Director of Photography: Lachlan Milne
Drone: HeliGuy
Production Designer: Jen Waters
Costume Designer: Janai Anselmi
Casting: Danny Long Casting
Stills Photographer: Chris Von Menge
Post Production: Atticus
Editor: Jack Hutchings
Music & Sound: Electric Sheep Music
Composer: Declan Harsent
Sound Designer: Georgia Collins
Executive Producer: Kate Stenhouse
Media Agency: PHD Sydney
