Ford Motor Company | The Beast
Background
Ford had an overstock of lower-trim F-150 models in the Northwest region that needed to move quickly.
Assignment
The brief asked for a retail-focused campaign that moved trucks off lots and mention the offer “three times”. But instead of following the formula, my copywriter partner and I saw an opportunity to make something better, something that would still drive sales while elevating the creative. We wanted to prove that even a retail ad could feel cinematic, emotionally resonant, and true to the spirit of the region and the Ford brand.
Solution
We developed The Beast, a bold, moody campaign inspired by the fog, forests, and raw power of the Pacific Northwest. With a one-day shoot on a tight budget in Washington, we produced a :30 broadcast spot, :15 digital cutdowns for Hulu and YouTube, :06 pre-rolls for social, and a suite of supporting assets including website banners, digital ads, print, and dealership signage. The campaign traded hard-sell tactics for atmosphere, emotion, and authenticity, something totally unexpected in the retail space. We set out to reimagine what a regional retail campaign could look and feel like and developed a concept that stood apart from conventional car ads, evoked a visceral emotional response, and still drove consumer engagement and sales.
Results
The Beast outperformed expectations across every key metric. The campaign not only helped clear inventory of lower-trim F-150s in record time but also delivered higher engagement and stronger brand perception in the region. Its cinematic tone and distinctive storytelling resonated deeply with audiences, standing out from typical retail clutter and earning praise from both the client, custumers, and internal teams. The campaign’s success led to adoption by multiple Ford regions nationwide and earned our team the honor of presenting it directly to the president of GTB, solidifying its status as one of the agency’s most celebrated regional campaigns.
Part II: The Beast Cometh
Since The Beast campaign was such a success, our clients wanted to keep the concept and refresh it with the new model year trucks. We ultimately decided to evolve the campaign for the 2021 edition and really amp up the energy and let the truck do the storytelling. With limited budget and COVID-restrictions for productions, we created this spot using CGI and existing footage from the previous year’s shoot, and updated the exterior of the truck in post.
Again, F-150 sales were through the roof in the region. The Beast Cometh was another success for the Northwest.
The Beast Cometh campaign won 10 Telly Awards
Regional TV – The People’s Telly
Local TV – Visual Effects
Local TV – General Automotive
Local TV – The People’s Telly
Local TV – Motion Graphics & Design
Local TV – Sound & Sound Design
Online Commercials – Videography & Cinematography
Regional TV – Sound & Sound Design
Regional TV – Visual Effects
Regional TV – General Automotive
In-dealership Point of Purchase
The window clings were placed on the F-150 trucks at the dealership and look like ominous handwritten notes that could have been left on your vehicle. We also created warning hangtags placed inside the vehicle to further emphasized the strength of “The Beast”.
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