Matthew McConaughey dusts off his Lincoln Lawyer jacket [w/videos]

Thu, 21 Aug 2014

Alright, alright, alright. Easygoing Texan Matthew McConaughey has enjoyed a career renaissance recently with critically acclaimed roles in Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective, and the actor has just signed a multi-year deal with Lincoln to become the luxury brand's spokesperson. The first ads starring McConaughey should hit televisions and the internet soon.

McConaughey's campaign has his pitching starting out with the company's pivotal new 2015 Lincoln MKC compact crossover. "Lincoln is an iconic, American brand and I like where they are heading with their transformation," he said in the announcement of the deal. The appears to be really throwing some money into these ads, too. Not only has it hired A-list talent in front of the camera, Nicolas Winding Refn, best known for Drive, is directing the spots.

Of course, this won't be McConaughey's first noteworthy ride in a Lincoln. Back in 2011, he starred in The Lincoln Lawyer, a legal thriller about at attorney would did business out of a 1980s Town Car. The MKC should certainly prove to be a much better driver than that.

Scroll down to watch a video of McConaughey talking about why he is joining the brand and his thoughts on campaign's message to "Live In Your Moment." Also, you can check out the first trailer for the broadcast version of the commercial and read Lincoln's full announcement.

LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY AND MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY BEGIN NEW CREATIVE JOURNEY

>The Lincoln Motor Company signs a multi-year collaboration with Oscar™-winning actor Matthew McConaughey

>Long-term admirer of the Lincoln brand, McConaughey will act as a storyteller on upcoming Lincoln broadcast and digital ad campaigns

>Academy Award™ winner to appear in series of TV and digital spots starting with the first-ever 2015 Lincoln MKC directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

The Lincoln Motor Company announced today a multi-year collaboration with Academy Award™-winner Matthew McConaughey, who will act as a storyteller in a series of upcoming TV and digital campaigns starting with the first-ever 2015 Lincoln MKC small premium utility.

"Authenticity is a word that kept coming up in our initial meetings. It was clear from the start they appreciated me as an individual first and foremost, and I would be able to be myself in this collaboration," said McConaughey, a longtime admirer of Lincoln. "Lincoln is an iconic, American brand and I like where they are heading with their transformation. I had the chance to drive the new MKC around Texas and I think they're doing a good job."

In a nod to McConaughey's storytelling talents, Lincoln and director Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") created a storyline for him around the MKC. In the spots, McConaughey invites viewers to experience the vehicle through unscripted moments in the commercial.

"Matthew is a natural fit with Lincoln and where we are going as a brand," said Matt VanDyke, director, global Lincoln. "The transformation of Lincoln is well underway. With the MKC coming to market in a hot, competitive segment, now is the perfect opportunity to share to a wider audience what our brand offers. Matthew is the ideal personality to help us tell this story, and it is only the beginning of what we trust will be a fantastic relationship."

Lincoln started a new journey in 2012, re-launching the brand and outlining a plan to introduce four all-new products in four years. Following the all-new MKZ midsize sedan is the MKC, a performance-minded, luxuriously crafted and technologically savvy vehicle. This small utility vehicle is a new addition for the brand; a brand focused on quality, compelling design and personal service.

To stay connected to Lincoln as the story unfolds, visit Lincoln's YouTube page.

By Chris Bruce