Kevin Smith Makes Ad Debut with Audi Avengers Tie-In

With Avengers: Age of Ultron almost upon us, the Marvel cross-marketing blitz–which already includes partners like Target, Dr. Pepper and Kellogg’s–is only getting started.

Longtime partner Audi, though, is taking a different route. Tony Stark’s automaker of choice, which will see the inclusion of the 2016 Audi R8, 2015 TTS and 2015 A3 Cabriolet vehicles in Ultron, has teamed with PMK*BNC (the PR-first agency perhaps best known to us for last year’s Breaking Bad Emmy promo) to unveil a two-minute short directed by well-known comic book geek Kevin Smith.

Most importantly, the campaign allowed the guy who made Chasing Amy to work with his hero Stan Lee, (along with a few other familiar faces).

Smith, who owns real-world comic book store Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash and hosts AMC’s Comic Book Men, has found the perfect outlet to mark his first time directing an ad with “Stan Lee Cameo School.” Playing on Lee’s penchant for making cameo appearances in Marvel films (not to mention Smith’s own Mallrats), the clip also features the likes of Smith’s constant foil Jason MewesSharknado 2‘s own Tara ReidMallrats co-star Michael Rooker and the original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, who pays homage to his early ’80s show at the end.

In the midst of the marketing onslaught of Ultron, this one offers some B-List geek fun along with its relatively subtle branding.

 

Title: “Stan Lee Cameo School feat. Kevin Smith, Tara Reid, Michael Rooker, Jason Mewes and Lou Ferrigno”
Hashtags: #Avengers #AgeOfUltron
Audi Twitter Handle: @Audi
Starring: Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Michael Rooker, Tara Reid with cameos by: Lou Ferrigno, Jason Mewes and the Audi S8
Executive Producer: Kim Dellara
Director: Kevin Smith
Producer: Adrianne McCurrach

Spider-Man Delivers Package for Universal McCann, USPS


Universal McCann teamed up with Sony Picures, and DNA directors Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man, 500 Days of Summer) and Rich Lee to create “Amazing Delivery,” a new Spider-Man themed spot for USPS designed as a tie-in promoting the May 2nd release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The 30-second spot features Spider-Man slinging himself through New York City to deliver a package for a distressed Hollywood director. “Amazing Delivery” follows Spider-Man’s path through the city leading to the package’s delivery to Stan Lee at the premiere of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The cinematic spot’s charming ending really ties everything together, and it’s evident that everyone involved was excited to work with Spider-Man’s creator, a fact corroborated by director Rich Lee, who said, “Everyone wanted Stan Lee to sign their prepro books and get a photo with Spider-Man…it was actually really sweet and fun to see everyone get so excited around those two. You could see the childlike glints in everyone’s eyes. It was awesome.”

Webb and Lee, who have collaborated in the past, based the spot on the idea that, like Spider-Man, USPS is “speedy, efficient, and there when you need it the most,” drawing on this link to expand upon the creative brief and bring the spot to life. “One of the interesting things about both Spidey and the USPS is that they are both iconic, public servants,” said Rich Lee. “They’re for the people, helping them in their own way. So there is a nice synergy there.”

Stay tuned for credits after the jump. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.