The Bark Side by Volkswagen - 2012

The Bark Side by Volkswagen is probably the ad that impressed me the most last year. First because it is a smart one.

With the Bark Side,Volkswagen played of its very viral Star Wars-themed advertising from the 2011 Super Bowl. Back then the ad featuring a mini Darth Vader struggling with “The Force” was a hit a probably the most remembered and talk-about of all ads shown during the 2011 Super Bowl. 

Thus, it looks like Volkswagen is telling a story by following up with this commercial featuring a chorus of dogs barking the theme song from the Star Wars score. People get the point immediately and are glad to be remembered the good laugh they ad in 2011 by getting a new one in 2012.

Furthermore it is the kind of ad that cries viral. It is not new that dogs and pet in general sell, that people love to post pet and share pet videos on Facebook. Thus, creating a GOOD ad featuring pet is probably the best way to go viral on the Internet. Last, it had to be funny and creative. The chorus of eleven dogs, some of them wearing Star Wars costumes and seated in a spaceship most definitely is.

Also, it is directed at all generations and, even better, at all nationalities: yes barking is international!