New Ad Campaign for Scion iA and iM Celebrates Everything Out of the Ordinary
TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2015) – Scion has always been a little weird. With no-haggle pricing, standard premium features and cars shaped like toasters, Scion has proudly done things differently. Now, actors James Franco, Jaleel White, and an inflatable tube man take the all-new Scion iM and iA for a spin in the brand’s newest ad campaign, titled “Weird, Right?” This is the largest marketing campaign for Scion since the brand’s launch in 2003.
The wave of weird contains three :30 TV spots. One features the dual sides of Hollywood actor/artist Franco, while a second features White and a wax figure of himself as his best-known role, Steve Urkel from the 90s sitcom “Family Matters.” The third talent is a little untraditional, but definitely not unfamiliar – an inflatable tube man (yes, those wacky flailing creatures found at car dealerships). Things get weird when it tries to hold a cup of coffee.
“Scion celebrates their differences from the rest of the car industry in a weird, funny way that I can appreciate,” said White. “I had a lot of fun working with them on the commercial.”
The new Scion commercials can be seen on Scion.com: “Franco and Franco”, “Jaleel and Wax Museum Urkel”, and “Recently Liberated Car Dealership Tube man” are available now and two more spots: “Vampire with a Man Bun,” and “Stockphoto Business People” will roll out in the coming months.
“People who buy the iM and iA are independent-minded and our goal for this quirky campaign is to pique their interest in Scion,” says Doug Murtha, Scion general manager. “While Scion’s approach might be considered unique, it is designed to benefit our younger customers who want a streamlined purchase and ownership experience,”
The iM and iA bring unexpected touches to consumers, like a heap of desirable standard features at practical prices. The 5-door hatchback Scion iM delivers a lengthy list of amenities including the 7-inch Pioneer Display Audio unit with standard HD Radio and Aha™, rear-view backup camera, Scion’s first 4.2-inch color multi-information display. The iM starts at $18,460, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. The sporty styling, estimated 37 mpg highway, and versatile space lets drivers envision their own ordinary – or odd – adventures.
The Scion iA brings sophistication to a compact sedan in its class. Practicality meets style with the piano black bumper treatment, chrome grille surround and the spacious trunk, coupled with keyless entry with push-button start, low-speed pre-collision system, rear-view backup camera and 7-inch touch screen multimedia system with voice recognition. The iA starts at $15,700, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. Then there’s the sporty handling and an estimated 42 mpg highway.
The national campaign was developed with Droga5.
About Scion
Scion continues to be the test laboratory division for Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. From its start in 2003, Scion’s goal was to offer products and processes that stand apart from the crowd. Scion offers distinctive vehicles that reflect owners’ passions with a model line-up that includes the all-new iM five-door hatchback, the all-new iA sports sedan, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle, the tC sports coupe, and the FR-S rear-wheel drive sports car. Scion also appeals to a youthful audience by offering a simple, no-haggle buying experience and by engaging with potential customers in meaningful and creative ways. For more information, visit www.scion.com.
About Droga5
Droga5 is a creative and strategic advertising agency headquartered in New York with offices in London and Sydney. Founded in 2006, Droga5’s clients include: BBC, Blizzard Entertainment, The Coca-Cola Company, Farfetch, Georgia-Pacific, Google, Heineken, Hennessy, Johnsonville, Mondel?z International, Motorola, NRG, Prudential, Reckitt Benckiser, Scion, Toyota, Under Armour, UNICEF, Unilever and YMCA, among others. In 2013, leading entertainment and media company William Morris Endeavor made a significant investment in Droga5, launching a strategic partnership to best serve each entity’s clients. Droga5 has won Agency of the Year seven times in the last nine years and is the only agency to be named to Advertising Age’s A-List five consecutive years. For more information, visit droga5.com.
Media Contacts
Marianne Stefanowicz, Droga5
917-421-0380
[email protected]