Subaru: Baby Driver

I'm sure there are others, but these ads from Subaru stuck out in my mind as being effective. This video is part of their “Love” campaign. I've included one video here. This ad didn't go “viral” or make a gigantic splash in marketing circles (I assume). What it accomplished was creating a connection with Subaru’s target market. In this case, they are speaking to parents, which happen to represent a fairly large swath of the U.S. population.

Not everyone likes this commercial, and some even think they are a ridiculous shift in Subaru’s marketing—even to say that they are trying too hard to pull at the viewer’s emotional strings. Some think that Subaru is being emotionally heavy-handed, just to sell more Outbacks and Legacys.

In my opinion, this ad tries to make the viewer relate the seemingly insignificant but emotionally important times of life that can occur in a car, and in their opinion, hopefully a Subaru. It doesn't outright sell the car in any way. It shows the view of a parent and the protective nature they exhibit, even when their child is grown. Of course, they imply that a Subaru will help to keep you and your child safe. It does a tremendous job of speaking to that segment of their market. I’m not aware of an advertisement that does better.

And, as a father of a 16-month-old precious little girl, this commercial hits home. It doesn't make me think that Subaru will do my job of protecting my daughter. What it does do is make me notice the company that makes this commercial. The commercial is gentle, easing, and simple. It doesn't try to blow you away with visual effects. In the midst of the overabundance of overpowering advertisements, a commercial that makes a simple point and does so with little flash is very refreshing.