Mcgarrybowen London Messes with Your Head to Hype Honda’s Diesel CR-V

In its second project for Honda since winning a pitch for a certain piece of the automaker’s biz in July 2012, Mcgarrybowen London uses forced perspective and other illusory tricks to mess with your head, and to emphasize the Honda CR-V 1.6 diesel’s “impossible” qualities.

Regardless of the justification, we’re always glad to see visually striking spots, and this one certainly qualifies. Using optical illusions incorporating the new vehicle should keep viewers’ eyes glued to the screen for the duration of the ad, always something to aspire to. That they are able to justify the approach makes it all the better, even if the justification isn’t all that sturdy. The idea is that a fuel-efficient SUV is thought of as “impossible” but the new CR-V disproves that. “Let’s do those things that can’t be done,” a narrator says, “like less fuel in for more miles out.” Not the strongest concept exactly, but the execution more than makes up for it. On the other hand, touting a vehicle as fuel-efficient without any mention of the gas mileage is less understandable, and may make people think that description is all smoke and mirrors.

The spot, directed by Chris Palmer of production company Gorgeous, debuted in the UK on October 19th and is currently running across Europe. It is supported by print, outdoor, digital and direct executions. Credits after the jump.  continued…

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Gentleman Jack Returns to TV via Secret ‘Order’

According to the parties involved, specifically Arnold Worldwide and Jack Daniel’s, the spot above marks the first one in a quarter-century for the latter spirits brand’s Gentleman Jack rare premium whiskey line. The focal point of the campaign is what agency and brand are dubbing “The Order of the Gentleman,” which sounds like a more refined version of the Stonecutters or the secret society/motley crew assembled by Jagermeister and Mistress. The spot itself called “Secret Meetings,” which debuted during last night’s premiere of Anthony Bourdain‘s new CNN show, Parts Unknown, stars apparent “Order of the Gentleman” member Titus Welliver, who among other things has appeared in all three Ben Affleck-directed movies in recent years.

As we’ve been told, the somewhat mysterious clip above is just the beginning of a campaign that will roll out over the next few months and includes online components among other things. Indulge your urbane self further if you care to here. Credits after the jump.

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