VB&P, Audi Chase the White Whale in ‘Ahab Redux’

In 2012, a creative director fell into Herman Melville’s 720-page trap and reimagined Ahab as a tow truck driver, madly chasing his white whale, an Audi Quattro. “Sometimes, I actually think it’s mocking me,” Ahab says in a gruff voice, anxiously twisting his thermos as he waits in the arctic tundra.

Said creative director then got distracted by Cetology, but has now resurfaced to produce “Ahab Redux,” in which, obviously, our automotive whale has yet to meet his driver. Ahab has retired on an island “most folks would call paradise,” but he can’t escape his all-wheel drive demon. “There isn’t a road on earth that can stop it.”

Thankfully this ad is a departure from the old winding-mountain-road glamour reel, and I appreciate the attempt at literary allusion. We’re all familiar with Moby Dick, whether we became obsessed like Ahab or SparkNoted its entirety. “Ahab Redux” is a bit of a cop-out due to its repetition, but the general idea probably gives Audi’s target affluent audience a twinge of self-satisfaction: “Oh, I know that story!”

Credits and original Ahab after the jump continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Arnold, Jack Daniel’s Bring Back King Bee, This Time with a Swarm

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey has been repped by King Bee for a while now, with the insect always fiercely flying, always backed by rock and roll. In the latest spot, King Bee is followed by his swarm, representing the followers the brand has gained in the last year.

Pre-released on Twitter and Facebook, “Swarm” amassed over 10 million impressions before launching on TV. Though it was apparently carefully calibrated to get the right lighting and “a gritty feeling” (essential for any American whiskey brand), the spot’s not exactly rife with excitement or engagement. It works for exactly 30 seconds, though, and with the accompanying copywriting- “Like any good night out, things get interesting when there’s a swarm.” and “Fly straight. Drink responsibly,” King Bee and his crew get get an A for effort.

Credits after the jump

continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.