Scion grabs Franco and Urkel in Weird move to sell iM and iA
Tue, Sep 15 2015
First, we have Mr. James Franco, star of This Is The End and generally weird dude. He pitches both the iA and iM, playing two different roles. While in the iA, he's James Franco The Actor, while the iM sees him shift into an "experimental artist." Along with talking about how strange it is that "someone so complex" would drive a "practical" car, Scion's narrator goes as far as admitting that it's kind of weird that the budget manufacturer was even able to scoop the Hollywood talent.
The second spokesman, though, is even stranger. It's none other than Jaleel White, best known as Steven Q. Urkel from 1990s sitcom Family Matters. He stars alongside, um, Urkel (not to mention a rather annoying laugh track). In a rather weird spot that highlights the dual-zone climate control, White stars alongside a wax figurine of his iconic television character, even dropping one of his famous lines at the end.
And finally, while this one doesn't have a celebrity endorsement, Scion prepared a third spot to support its new iA. Featuring a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man, it's perhaps the weirdest of the three videos.
We have Franco's video at the top of the page, while the Urkel/White spot and wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man clip are available below.
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Scion Brings the 'Weird' with James Franco and Jaleel White
New Ad Campaign for Scion iA and iM Celebrates Everything Out of the Ordinary
September 14, 2015
TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2015) – Scion has always been a little weird. With no-haggle pricing, standard premium features and cars shaped like toasters, Scion has proudly done things differently. Now, actors James Franco, Jaleel White, and an inflatable tube man take the all-new Scion iM and iA for a spin in the brand's newest ad campaign, titled "Weird, Right?" This is the largest marketing campaign for Scion since the brand's launch in 2003.
The wave of weird contains three :30 TV spots. One features the dual sides of Hollywood actor/artist Franco, while a second features White and a wax figure of himself as his best-known role, Steve Urkel from the 90s sitcom "Family Matters." The third talent is a little untraditional, but definitely not unfamiliar – an inflatable tube man (yes, those wacky flailing creatures found at car dealerships). Things get weird when it tries to hold a cup of coffee.
"Scion celebrates their differences from the rest of the car industry in a weird, funny way that I can appreciate," said White. "I had a lot of fun working with them on the commercial."
The new Scion commercials can be seen on Scion.com: "Franco and Franco", "Jaleel and Wax Museum Urkel", and "Recently Liberated Car Dealership Tube man" are available now and two more spots: "Vampire with a Man Bun," and "Stockphoto Business People" will roll out in the coming months.
"People who buy the iM and iA are independent-minded and our goal for this quirky campaign is to pique their interest in Scion," says Doug Murtha, Scion general manager. "While Scion's approach might be considered unique, it is designed to benefit our younger customers who want a streamlined purchase and ownership experience,"
The iM and iA bring unexpected touches to consumers, like a heap of desirable standard features at practical prices. The 5-door hatchback Scion iM delivers a lengthy list of amenities including the 7-inch Pioneer Display Audio unit with standard HD Radio and Aha™, rear-view backup camera, Scion's first 4.2-inch color multi-information display. The iM starts at $18,460, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. The sporty styling, estimated 37 mpg highway, and versatile space lets drivers envision their own ordinary – or odd – adventures.
The Scion iA brings sophistication to a compact sedan in its class. Practicality meets style with the piano black bumper treatment, chrome grille surround and the spacious trunk, coupled with keyless entry with push-button start, low-speed pre-collision system, rear-view backup camera and 7-inch touch screen multimedia system with voice recognition. The iA starts at $15,700, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. Then there's the sporty handling and an estimated 42 mpg highway.
The national campaign was developed with Droga5.
New Ad Campaign for Scion iA and iM Celebrates Everything Out of the Ordinary
September 14, 2015
TORRANCE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2015) – Scion has always been a little weird. With no-haggle pricing, standard premium features and cars shaped like toasters, Scion has proudly done things differently. Now, actors James Franco, Jaleel White, and an inflatable tube man take the all-new Scion iM and iA for a spin in the brand's newest ad campaign, titled "Weird, Right?" This is the largest marketing campaign for Scion since the brand's launch in 2003.
The wave of weird contains three :30 TV spots. One features the dual sides of Hollywood actor/artist Franco, while a second features White and a wax figure of himself as his best-known role, Steve Urkel from the 90s sitcom "Family Matters." The third talent is a little untraditional, but definitely not unfamiliar – an inflatable tube man (yes, those wacky flailing creatures found at car dealerships). Things get weird when it tries to hold a cup of coffee.
"Scion celebrates their differences from the rest of the car industry in a weird, funny way that I can appreciate," said White. "I had a lot of fun working with them on the commercial."
The new Scion commercials can be seen on Scion.com: "Franco and Franco", "Jaleel and Wax Museum Urkel", and "Recently Liberated Car Dealership Tube man" are available now and two more spots: "Vampire with a Man Bun," and "Stockphoto Business People" will roll out in the coming months.
"People who buy the iM and iA are independent-minded and our goal for this quirky campaign is to pique their interest in Scion," says Doug Murtha, Scion general manager. "While Scion's approach might be considered unique, it is designed to benefit our younger customers who want a streamlined purchase and ownership experience,"
The iM and iA bring unexpected touches to consumers, like a heap of desirable standard features at practical prices. The 5-door hatchback Scion iM delivers a lengthy list of amenities including the 7-inch Pioneer Display Audio unit with standard HD Radio and Aha™, rear-view backup camera, Scion's first 4.2-inch color multi-information display. The iM starts at $18,460, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. The sporty styling, estimated 37 mpg highway, and versatile space lets drivers envision their own ordinary – or odd – adventures.
The Scion iA brings sophistication to a compact sedan in its class. Practicality meets style with the piano black bumper treatment, chrome grille surround and the spacious trunk, coupled with keyless entry with push-button start, low-speed pre-collision system, rear-view backup camera and 7-inch touch screen multimedia system with voice recognition. The iA starts at $15,700, excluding a $795 delivery, processing and handling fee. Then there's the sporty handling and an estimated 42 mpg highway.
The national campaign was developed with Droga5.
By Brandon Turkus
See also: Evo pits Toyota GT86 vs. Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota preparing Scion-badged Nissan Juke fighter, 2016 Scion iM Review [w/video].