Campaign: Don't Forget It's A Diesel
Client: Volkswagen UK
Agencies: DDB London, DDB Matrix
Principal authors: Ben Malbon, DDB London; Sara Donoghugh, DDB Matrix
With contributions from: Les Binet, DDB Matrix; Sarah Carter, DDB
London; Richard Butterworth, DDB London
Media used: TV, interactive, direct marketing, viral, press, outdoor,
radio, ambient
CASE SUMMARY
This is the story of how making it OK to drive a diesel proved to be profitable for Volkswagen.
Diesels have long been seen as boring, dull, noisy, smelly and sluggish - the engines of choice for greens, teachers and sandal-wearing Guardian readers.
But since 2001, VW's campaign has helped radically change our perceptions.
Its diesel sales have increased dramatically in terms of both volume and value, the Golf has become the UK's best-selling diesel car and people are buying more powerful and more expensive Volks-wagen diesels than ever before.
Fronted by the high-powered Golf GTi, VW's Diesel marques were given a new sense of sexiness, style and desirability with communications that were intelligent and witty in tone and had the highest possible production values - a break from typically apologetic diesel ads.
In tune with an integrated effort that included everything from petrol nozzle ads to branded rubber stamps to dealers, VW showed its confidence in its diesel range by becoming the first car advertiser to go on TV with a brand-led diesel message. The tagline "Don't forget it's a diesel" has helped give diesel drivers a bit more pride.
The campaign saw diesel sales revenues grow by 60 per cent, and sales of high-powered diesels rise from 33 to 53 per cent of VW's diesel mix.
Furthermore, the authors argue, the communications led people to pay more for their diesels.
The judges' view
This was a good case with an outstanding idea and an extraordinary range of executions. The campaign helped to "make diesel sexy", elevated the Golf to its position as the UK's best-selling diesel and prompted a dramatic shift in Volkswagen UK's sales mix.
