2020/2021 Winners & Shortlists

Background

The all-new GMC Sierra was launching in the region. Heavy competition and a lack of emotional equity meant that our sales targets seemed out of reach. We needed to differentiate our proposition within a cluttered marketplace and take back our position as off-roading leader. Business Objective: Drive sales. Media Objective: Launch the next generation Sierra by reaching our target in relevant environments and on the right channels. Creative Objective: Introduce the all-new Sierra through a campaign as differentiated and powerful as the offering demanded.

The Interpretation of the Challenge (30% of vote)

Audience: The region's off-roading is small, yet incredibly passionate. It's an audience heavily invested in understanding product capabilities, a community of people who are brand loyalists, and incredibly unforgiving if disappointed. Brand: The GMC Sierra was getting lost in a sea of sameness compared to other off-roading trucks. We hadn't done enough to create a unique product proposition for ourselves. As one of the most powerful GMC offerings we had an opportunity with the all-new Sierra's launch to take a powerful stand and introduce our bold new attitude. Challenge: This isn't just about launching a new vehicle. GMC Sierra is a dying brand. We need to give it a new life. We need to connect with an unforgiving audience. We need to play in the same off-roading field as everyone else, but find a way to change the game.

The Insight / Breakthrough Thinking (30% of vote)

Our insight came from closely observing our off-roading audience's culture. We dug past the observations of 'thrilling exploration' and 'adrenaline rush' and focused on the relationships between people in the community. If we wanted to connect with them, we had to unpack how they connected with one another, what led them to admire one another. This was our moment of revelation. This community was uniquely focused on earning one another's respect. Respect was not earned on the basis of how expensive your vehicle was or your family name - but the feats you accomplished and your skill as a driver. The toughest of challenges, the heart of a lion, the ability to conquer any terrain - that earns you respect.

The Creative Idea (20% of vote)

In 1930, legendary explorer Sheikh Saleh bin Khalut crossed the unforgiving terrain of the Empty Quarter by foot. It took him 60 days. Nearly 90 years later we would follow in his footsteps, this time with a GMC Sierra, putting the truck to the ultimate test. We partnered with MBC Driven and captured the thrill of this journey with a 5-episode mini-series. This mammoth expedition, involved 2 GMC Sierras, with 3 renowned off-road specialists from the MBC Driven team and Mubarak bin Kalut, the grandson of Sheikh Saleh bin Khalut who guided them with his old journals. With genuine storytelling, real time thrills and spills, and extreme driving, this journey was a true test for both, the men and the GMC Sierra.

The Outcome / Results (20% of vote)

Reach: +5.5 million people (in just 2 months); Views: +10 million completed views; Sales: ~2000 sales (~300,000 unique visits and ~20,000 CRM leads) The campaign resulted in selling out the vehicle and truly capturing the hearts of our off-roading community.

Please tell us about the challenger brand and how your campaign challenged / was different from your competitors

Over time GMC Sierra was perceived as a premium truck unable to tackle extreme terrains. On the other hand, the main competitive brand marketed themselves as the ultimate vehicle in the desert. Our challenge was to change this perception and make off road enthusiast take notice of our truck. Therefore, we decided to conquer the most extreme terrain in the region - The Empty Quarter with our truck.