2018 Winners & Shortlists

CAMELPOWER

Bronze
BrandNISSAN
Product/ServiceDESERT LINEUP
EntrantTBWA\RAAD Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CategoryBrand / Product Video
Idea Creation TBWA\RAAD Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Media Placement OMD Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Production NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Production 2 STOKED Beirut, LEBANON

The Campaign

We introduced Camelpower to the world: the first ever unit to measure automotive performance in the desert. Following the example set by Henry Watt, the inventor of horsepower, we developed our unit around the most effective and efficient desert animal: the camel. Horsepower (hp) was developed with land-based experiments using a horse as a benchmark. Our sand-based experiments used a camel and followed a similar scientific approach, creating a formula and value for Camelpower (dCP). We worked with Nissan engineers, accreditation experts and technical gurus to develop the formula and conduct field tests (accounting for sand friction, time, velocity, weight and inclination). Once a value for 1dCP was established, we measured the dCP value for Nissan’s top desert SUVs. And there we had it. Not only an empirical way to measure the off-road performance of our SUVs, but a metric against which every other car could be measured.

Creative Execution

Instead of an advertising campaign, we wanted to own a conversation. So, we started by working alongside third party engineers, technical experts and geology academics to create a robust formula and conduct rigorous field tests. Then we vetted the entire plan with Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA). And that was just the due diligence. To promote the concept, we had to explain the science. An 11-minute documentary shot by and aired on National Geographic brought the entire process to life, while we used social media platforms and formats to direct people to www.camelpower.ae, where they could learn more about the unit, the science, and most importantly, the Nissan SUV line-up. Graphic illustrations drew analogies between camels and our SUVs across the website and our showrooms. And finally, following the announcement and film, talks were held at universities to promote the new unit and opportunities for future application.

1. Earned Media - 450M people reached, with minor paid media (as every major news outlet covered the story) - Earned 22m PR Media Impressions in GCC, worth $2.8m paid media 2. Engagement - 12.2 minutes average time spent on www.camelpower.ae (245% higher than Nissan average) - 14% of visitors clicked through to SUV webpage (www.nissan.me) - Social post engagement rate of 3.87 (more than 2x that of Nissan new-model-launch posts) 3. Business Impact -Year-on-year sales of Patrol increased 97% in March / 26% in April (media spend = 17% of 2016) -Patrol Safari YoY sales increased by 60% in March & 99% in April -Navara YoY sales increased by 170% in March & 49% in April 4. Behaviour Change -Those exposed to the campaign: 60% more likely to believe Nissan made the best off-road SUVs 64% more likely to believe Nissan was an innovative company -Brand Affinity +4 points

If we talk about road cars, any debate around performance is easily resolved with stats about horsepower, torque or acceleration times. Publications and websites are dedicated to this type of content. No measure existed to accurately measure performance in the desert sand. 500HP might give you supercar acceleration, but it’s not worth much on soft, shifting sand. To end the debate and officially claim leadership, we proved that Nissan SUVs are the best desert off-roaders in the region by creating a new unit of desert performance measurement: Camelpower. Credibility was a key factor. As such, we needed to follow a strict scientific process from start to finish. We needed to work with experts from Nissan (engineering, R&D and technical), plus third party engineers and geology professors. Furthermore, we needed official accreditation from the national standardization board. Only then would the science be robust and the metric accepted by the industry.

Credits

Name Company Role
Walid Kanaan TBWA\RAAD Chief Creative Officer
Manuel Borde TBWA\RAAD Creative Director
Oswaldo Sa TBWA\RAAD Art Director ACD
Gabriel Gama TBWA\RAAD Art Director
Guilherme Grossi TBWA\RAAD Copywriter
Alex Pineda TBWA\RAAD Copywriter ACD
Clayton Needham TBWA\RAAD Senior Digital Designer
Felipe Sona TBWA\RAAD Senior Digital Designer
Claudio Campisto TBWA\RAAD Head of Art
Saad Gharzeddine TBWA\RAAD Brand Leader
Mathieu Khaled TBWA\RAAD Senior Account Manager
Ali Marashi TBWA\RAAD Senior Planner
Vishal Badiani TBWA\RAAD Strategy Director
Rouba Asmar TBWA\RAAD Head of Production
Samer Arzouni Nat Geo Abu Dhabi Director
Alex el Chami Nat Geo Abu Dhabi Executive Producer
Joseph el Hachem - Lead Unit Engineer
Hazem Atieh / Ezzat Habra TBWA\RAAD Creative Services Managers
Fouad Abdel Malak TBWA\RAAD Executive Creative Director
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