Olivia Wilde Directs Heartwarming Spot for Volkswagen

Popular automobile brand Volkswagen just launched a new heartwarming spot, and it's directed by none other than American actress Olivia Wilde. 

Made with creative agency Johannes Leonardo, the 30-second advert titled "Water Girl" aims to spotlight Volkswagen's Atlas as the perfect family SUV "for whatever fills your cups."

It tells the story of a young girl who helps her sister out in an unconventional yet sweet way. 

By highlighting the Atlas' small details, such as its 17 cup holders, the brand then positions the SUV as one that allows people to show up for their loved ones, no matter the situation.

Apart from being a stellar example of Wilde's directorial prowess, the latest marketing initiative from Volkswagen is one that exemplifies its consistently uplifting tone. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Leaning into its family-centric brand values, it even teamed up with animation studio Illumination to promote the Atlas in "Despicable Me 4," making it Gru's family car of choice.  

Previously, the brand launched the "YourWagen" campaign spotlighting the real-life stories of Volkswagen car owners, and showing that "without the Volks, there is no Wagen."

The carmaker also recently launched a campaign celebrating 50 years of Volkswagen Golf.

Here, it not only highlighted the car model's evolution over the years but also its presence and importance in the lives of its car owners. 

With its soft and emotional approach to marketing, Volkswagen is establishing its brand identity as caring and down-to-earth, which resonates well with audiences and more particularly, families. 

An Overload of Cuteness

The "Water Girl" spot kicks off with a little girl gathering bottles from all around the house — inside cabinets, under kitchen tables, and inside her bedroom — to the tune of the upbeat samba track "Magalenha" by Sérgio Mendes.

She begins to fill them up with water, before loading each of her 17 bottles onto the Volkswagen Atlas. 

In the end, it's revealed that the child is a water girl for her sister's football team.

To close the spot, they all gather by the trunk of the Volkswagen Atlas as the girl hands each team member a water bottle.

"For whatever fills your cups," the screen writes as the commercial ends.

"Water Girl" debuted on July 28 broadcast of the Paris Summer Olympics.

Before working with Volkswagen, Johannes Leonardo launched a campaign for Oscar Mayer Bacon, promoting food unconventionally through beauty and grooming ads. 

Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang