Veloz: Kicking Gas features Arnold Schwarzenegger

Superconductor creates its first campaign ever for Veloz, a non-profit group dedicated to increasing electric car sales. “Kicking Gas” is an integrated campaign starring Arnold Schwarzenegger that mimics the launch of a summer blockbuster. There are some really funny lines like “It’s so quiet, that you literally hear literally everything that your family says.”

The short film was created in collaboration with Oak Productions and Bullitt, and directed by Emmy-Award winning Josh Greenbaum, the films feature Schwarzenegger going undercover as a colorful, mustache-wearing used car salesman on a mission to sell gas-guzzlers. Rickett & Sones is the director/photographer duo responsible for all still photography.

“Over 16 years ago, I set out to prove that you can have the car you love and the clean air you need,“ said Schwarzenegger. “I greened my fleet of personal cars, including my Hummers. And I challenged the auto industry to do the same. They now have the electric vehicle technology to outcompete gas-powered cars.”

“Kicking Gas” is part of Veloz’s “Electric For All” public awareness campaign, a multimillion-dollar effort uniting car manufacturers, utilities, clean air advocates, government and other stakeholders. It is an unprecedented alliance of unlikely partners, and the use of humor, not fury or fear, to engage hearts and minds. With that ethos as the center of the strategy and execution, the creative stakeholders crafted a campaign that aims to inform through entertainment. Schwarzenegger’s interactions with would-be customers provide a hilarious way to demonstrate electric vehicles are simply better cars – for drivers, for the country, and for the planet.

“Tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger has no problem making fun of himself. Imagine a world leader like that—willing to do what it takes for the greater good,” said Mary Nichols, who serves on the Veloz leadership team. “For some members of our unlikely coalition, this campaign is tricky and treads difficult territory. Change is hard. But everyone knows the future is electric, and California, for one, is committed to capturing the market advantage.”

“Our goal with Kicking Gas is to bust barriers and kick down the norms of traditional electric car campaigns,“ said Josh Boone, executive director of Veloz. “Veloz brings together an unlikely coalition of automakers, public-policy leaders and other sectors as positive world changers. We are focused on igniting public imagination through innovative and bold messaging—electric cars are more fun, more performance, and more exciting than other cars. Everyone should know they are simply the best drive ever.“

Founded by The Russo Brothers, Justin Lin, Todd Makurath, Luke Ricci and Chris Adams, Superconductor specializes in creating Must See Marketing—content that audiences choose to watch and experiences they love to engage with. They do this by breaking down the barriers between clients and creators—including the writers, directors, and technologists behind many of Hollywood’s biggest hits.

“Superconductor sits at the intersection of advertising and entertainment, so a campaign promoting electric cars with Arnold Schwarzenegger is exactly what we were built for,” comments Chris Adams, Superconductor CCO. “We’re really honored that Veloz trusted us to help bring this to life.”

Credits:
Executive Director: Josh Boone
Agency: Superconductor
Chairman Todd Makurath
President/CEO Luke Ricci
Chief Creative Officer: Chris Adams
Chief Strategy Officer: Noel Sullivan
EVP Business Development: Allison Amon
Producer: Robert Samuel
Copywriter: Mike Prochaska
Designer: Samia Zaidi
Still Photographer: Rickett & Sones
Production Company: Oak Productions
Production Company: Bullitt
Director: Josh Greenbaum
President and Executive Producer: Luke Ricci
Head Of Production: Jenni Sprunger
EVP Business Development: Allison Amon
Producer: Jeremy Barrett
Director of Photography: John Rutland
Editorial Company: Final Cut
Editor: Chris Amos
President/US: Stephanie Apt
Executive Producer: Suzy Ramirez
Producer: Esther Gonzalez
Color: Company 3
Senior Colorist: Tyler Roth
Executive Producer: Ashley McKim
Finishing: Significant Others
Flame Artist: Betty Cameron
Producer: Kyra Hendricks
Music: Asche & Spencer
Composers: Thad Spencer, Richard Werbowenko
Executive Producer: Matt Locher
Sound: Lime Studios
Audio Mixer: Rohan Young
Executive Producer: Susie Boyajan