A new ad from virtual reality experience Sandbox VR features iconic action star and character actor Danny Trejo as he 'gets his Zombod ready' to crush some zombie skulls.
Conceptualized by agency Funday, the spot promotes Sanbox VR's most popular immersive full-body experiences, Deadwood Valley and Deadwood Mansion.
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Known best for his roles in films such as Con Air, From Dusk Till Dawn, and Machete, Trejo embodies his tough guy persona in the 30-second ad.
It opens with Trejo lifting weights in a dusty, post-apocalyptic wasteland.
As a news broadcaster's voice drones through the radio, the camera pans to a zombie steadily crawling towards Trejo in an attempt to eat him.
"Zombies don't quit. Neither do I," Trejo says, as he casually drops a 50-pound dumbbell on the zombies head, which sends blood and guts flying everywhere.
"That's why I start my training here," he continues, as the background fizzles out to reveal that he's actually playing virtual reality video games at Sandbox VR.
The spot ends with Trejo brandishing two VR rifles as he lets out a maniacal scream.
Sandbox VR CEO Steve Zhao highlighted Trejo's legendary track record of over 400 movie and television roles, as well as his impressive mustache.
"We couldn’t think of anyone more appropriate to pair with our most iconic game, Deadwood Valley [...] Players have killed over 100 million zombies since it was released. We’ll build on that momentum from our fans and his as we issue the Zombod challenge at Sandbox VR locations nationwide. With Danny's help, we'll all be a little more ready to go head-to-head with the undead," he concluded.
The campaign will run across social media with exclusive video content, and begin with a call to action.
Store activations will have exclusive Danny Trejo posters, videos, 'Get your Zombod Ready' storefront decals, and promotions that include:
- 15-20% discounts on Deadwood gameplay, plus free weapon upgrades for anyone who says that "Danny sent them"
- Exclusive prizes for top-scoring Deadwood Valley players, including Zombod Training certificates and a Golden Zombie Ear trophy
- Zombod preparedness quizzes via email and text
- Instagram contests and giveaways, which includes coming up with new "Zombod Rules"
- Zombie beach workouts (TBA)
Danny Trejo expressed excitement for the project, which lets the entertainer and entrepreneur engage audiences in a new way.
He went on to praise Sandbox VR's commitment to crafting the "most immersive VR experiences on the planet," which influenced his decision to collaborate with the company.
A Fully Immersive Experience
Originally founded in Hong Kong in 2016, California-based Sandbox VR utilizes hardware that is much more advanced than home VR gaming systems like the Meta Quest.
With over 30 branches and counting across the United States and several more in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe, the company has seen steady growth since it filed for Chapter 11 during the 2020 pandemic.
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Currently, Sandbox VR offers 8 different themed experiences, including collaborations with Squid Game and Star Trek.
To read more about the benefits of utilizing VR in business, click here.
By offering a premium immersive gaming experience in cooled locations, Sandbox VR aims to help friends and families combat the summer heat while engaging in unique activities that can't be found anywhere else.
