Volkswagen recently announced that the iconic Volkswagen Bus will be retired due to increased safety laws in Brazil, where the VW Bus is produced.
The last of these iconic autos will be produced at the end of this year and in order to pay tribute to this car, São Paulo's AlmapBBDO agency developed a clever ad. The slightly somber all-white advertisement shows the back of the Volkswagen Bus as it drives away. AlmapBBDO describes that: "every car deserves a launch ad. Only a timeless icon like the Volkswagen Bus deserves an unlaunch ad."
The humorous ad pays tribute to the car's retro style and pokes fun at the vehicle's lack of technology and safety features like onboard computers, airbags, braking systems and touchscreen radios. The "unlaunch ad" is a funny and fitting tribute to the Volkswagen Bus.
Iconic Vehicle Departure Ads
This 'Unlaunch Ad' Says Farewell to the Volkswagen Bus
Trend Themes
1. Retro-inspired Products - Companies in various industries can take advantage of nostalgia by developing products that have a retro or nostalgic feel to them, similar to the Volkswagen Bus.
2. Safety-driven Design - In order to comply with increased safety laws, companies can focus on designing new products with advanced safety features and technology to appeal to consumers' concerns about safety.
3. Humorous Marketing - Marketing campaigns that use humor, like Volkswagen's 'unlaunch ad' for the Bus, can help brands connect with consumers on a more personal level and generate buzz around their products.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - Automakers can develop new vehicles that pay tribute to classic designs and incorporate advanced safety features to appeal to consumers' concerns about safety.
2. Consumer Electronics - Consumer electronics manufacturers can create devices, like smartphones or MP3 players, that have a retro throwback aesthetic but also offer advanced safety and technology features.
3. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising agencies can develop humorous campaigns that tap into nostalgia or poke fun at current trends to generate buzz and connect with consumers.