Jean Claude Van Damme with Volvo
Beware! This video will amaze the pants off of you.
November 13, 2015 this video of Jean Claude Van Damme doing a split between two semi-trucks driving in reverse. They did an excellent job of catching the attention of viewers. The video was done this way purposely to shock audiences, being that it was most difficult doing the driving in reverse. The goal of the ad was to reach the particularly large online audience. Promoting their new power steering technology, Volvo wanted looked for an ad campaign that was just as revolutionary as their new technology.
The video has had 80,870,649 views to date. At its release, it was the most talked about ad campaigns ever made. It still hold a record as an ad getting the most buzz . In addition to the obviously incredible stunt they pulled off, the company used attachment to attract action star fans of all ages. Ron Smith, the writer of "Public Relations the basics" discusses the role of fame in taking an otherwise routine event and making it newsworthy. Jean Claude Van Damme achieves this with his participation in the ad. Think about it. Would this ad campaign had been as successful if a no name man pulled off the same stunt? Probably not. People would not have cared as much, despite the fact that they have done the exact same thing. It is hard to think about, but it is true. The following comment confirms my argument.
Volvo wanted to showcase the reliability of their new steering technology, so they used a action star figure as its human counter part. Inspiring and convincing consumers of the amazing capabilities of human beings as both physical and intelligent superiority. The intelligence of Volvo engineers and their new technology, and Jean Claude Van Damme's flawless physique and strength.