VIdeos: MINI Extends Global “Not Normal” Campaign
Official Release: The new MINI brand campaign got underway in June under the already established “NOT NORMAL” claim. The global campaign conveys the brand’s individual, high-energy attitude to life and highlights the strong emotional and personal connection between driver and MINI. “NOT NORMAL” focuses on MINI’s strong, independent character. The campaign, which integrates the full range of MINI products, will be rolled out worldwide through all communication channels.
At the heart of the MINI brand campaign are two new TV spots. The emotionally-powerful “A FRIEND FOR LIFE” spot shows in a humorous way how MINI is a lifelong companion for young and old alike in all situations of life. In typical MINI style, the spot shows people in various stages of their lives who all share one thing in common: their passion for MINI. The spots have different endings: One shows former rally driver Rauno Aaltonen as an enthusiastic MINI fan.
The spot can be viewed below:
The second TV spot, “BAND OF MINI”, shows four MINI drivers in different MINI models who meet at a crossroads all listening in synch to the song “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. The four come together to form a MINI band with a difference. The drivers share a love of MINI, the same individual attitude to life and similar interests – in this case, the same taste in music. The final scene shows bulldog Tillman, the famous skating English bulldog, riding his skateboard.
The print campaign uses various colourful motifs with mischievous headlines to tell out-of-the-ordinary “NOT NORMAL” stories. All motifs share the same look and feel, and depict the personal bond between a MINI and its driver: for example, with the image of a MINI owner celebrating his MINI’s birthday with a cake in the garage, or a MINI whose driving dynamics are a source of artistic inspiration.
The campaign will also run in all relevant online channels. Social media, in particular, will present an unconventional interpretation of the brand campaign with an exciting international kick-off. An interactive live event will launch in London on 29 July 2013: MINI will bathe the British metropolis in a new light, spotlighting Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Queen. Fans across the world can transform the entire city into a true NOT NORMAL place-to-be interactively and in real-time. A trip from the digital world to the real city of London awaits the MINI brand community.
Agencies involved:
Concept, TVC and Print: BSSP, San Francisco
Film production: Sterntag Film GmbH, Hamburg / Director: Bruce St. Clair
Photographer: Igor Panitz
Online: AKQA, Amsterdam
Social Media: KKLD, Berlin
<p>I think MINI is resting on it’s loins with these ads pointing out the obvious… We all know they are fun and unique, let’s point out the many accolades and achievements of the brand that are undeniable… If not that, then I suggest a new ad campaign and likely agency as these are just underwhelming and disappointing imo. They don’t do the product justice.</p>
<p>shame MINI could not add a bit of Country road with bends and hill’s. That is where it’s at its best. Not being a bit Bling in Towns doing 20 MPH in traffic from lights to lights. Oh and Come on show us the new F56, just the out side as we dont want to make anyone sick if they see what the inside looks like. :)</p>
<p>“Not Normal” is so me! My blood type is AB Normal….</p>
<p>I want that laser beaming device they had in the earlier pilot ad…</p>
<p>That print of the birthday cake for the MINI in the garage makes me so desperately want them to recreate the old Rover advert with the schoolboy clutching a toy Morris Cooper while standing next to a Cooper SPI. Get a more modern kid holding a classic Mini toy next to the F56 when it arrives, I think it would be a nice nod to the past (it inspired me as a young Mini fan), and they’ve already done it with the ‘Mini’s have feelings too’ spot.</p>