Bueller, Bulldogs & Beckham. A Look At 15 Of The Most Anticipated Super Bowl Commercials.

The practice of leaking Super Bowl spots before the actual Game Day is growing. And at about $3.5 million dollars a spot, it's no wonder big name brands are trying to get as much bang for their buck as possible.

Automotive companies in particular are sharing their spots on YouTube, Facebook and with bloggers and PR companies. Some with extended versions, others with a teaser.

For those who watch the Super Bowl more for the commercials than the actual sport, this may alleviate the need to tune into the game all together, a bad thing for network tv. For those who like to watch the spots multiple times, it's good for the companies.

Either way, here's a bunch of tv spots (and a few teasers) that will be airing on February 5th's 46th Super Bowl. References to 20+ year old movies and tv shows like Star Wars, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Seinfeld seem to hint at the age of the creatives behind the ads.

Acura NSX "Transactions" with Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld is so excited about the new Acura NSX that he will stop at nothing to acquire the very first one. Check out the extended version of Acura's big game commercial:


Honda "Matthew's Day Off" extended version
Honda’s ad already sparked mass conversation thanks to last Thursday’s teaser. The commercial, directed by Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover, Due Date, etc.), features Matthew Broderick playing himself in a grown-up version of his celebrated role as Ferris Bueller alongside the all-new 2012 CR-V. Using themes from the original film to bring Honda’s “Leap List” campaign to life, the spot is meant to reinforce how the CR-V helps consumers conquer their aspirations before life’s next big phase.

True fans may also spot dozens of “Easter Eggs” hidden in the commercial that pay homage to the original film; fans are encouraged to join the conversation at Facebook.com/HondaCRV.


Volkswagon "The Bark Side"
A canine chorus barks a familiar tune. Keep an eye out for our 2012 Game Day commercial—it will all make sense. Love Star Wars and Volkswagen? You'll love this.


Chevy Sonic "Stunt Anthem"
The all-new Chevy Sonic is up for adventure. Watch Sonic's first time skydiving, bungee jumping, kick flipping, and performing with OK GO. 100% real stunts. For behind-the-scenes content, check out http://letsdothis.com/stunts


Chevy "OK Go -- White Knuckles" Talented Dogs


Chevy "Happy Grad"
Watch Zack Borst's winning entry to Chevrolet's Route66 competition. This Chevy ad will appear during Super Bowl XLVI. Filmed by Borst and company in four hours "Happy Grad" beat out 198 other video submissions and 400 scripts in the contest. Check out more about Chevy and Super Bowl XLVI at http://www.chevrolet.com/culture.


Audi "Vampire Party"
See the new Audi commercial and find out what happens when an Audi S7 shows up at a party full of vampires.


Toyota "Reinvented"
The brand's 60-second long spot is called “Reinvented” and continues the same theme as the first ads of the 2012 Camry last year, albeit with a more cheeky and humorous tone.
“Reinvention is a powerful idea and one we took to heart when we redesigned America’s most popular car with the launch of the 2012 Camry and elevated it above the competition,” said Bill Fay, group vice president of marketing at Toyota USA.

“The Super Bowl provides a forum to really drive home the reinvention message of the seventh-generation Camry, using humor to resonate with the American public," he added.
The “Reinvented” spot will be one of two 30-second commercials Toyota will be airing during the game on February 5.


Suzuki "Sled"
American Suzuki Motor Corporation will once again advertise during the Super Bowl with an all-new television commercial called "Sled", which highlights the automaker's all-wheel-drive 2012 Suzuki Kizashi sport sedan, which also starred in the company's first-ever Super Bowl ad -- entitled "Wicked Weather" -- during last year's big game.


KIA "Drive The Dream" Teaser
At last year's game, Kia took on the time traveling theme to show off its new Optima sedan. For this year's commercial, the South Korean automaker has chosen the topic of dreams to introduce the new 2012 Optima Limited edition.

Titled "Drive the Dream" and directed once again by Noam Murro who is helming the upcoming 300 spin-off, "300: Battle of Artemisia", the new 60-second commercial is set to air during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.

“After working with Kia for the Super Bowl last year I was drawn to work with the fast-growing brand again by the idea of exploring people’s ultimate fantasies in a fun and lighthearted way, and I am certain we have created a spot people will be talking about after the game,” said Murro.

The new ad brings together several stars including Victoria’s Secret model Angel Adriana Lima, the Mötley Crüe, mixed martial arts champion Chuck Liddell and champion bull rider Judd Leffer.

“Mötley Crüe had a blast doing the Kia commercial,” said the group's bassist Nikki Sixx. “A hot model, a fast car, a pro fighter, pyrotechnics and rock n' roll...What's not to love?”

Kia said that the the complete “Drive the Dream” ad will make its premiere on February 2 on more than 18,000 movie screens across the country. The company also released a teaser of the ad, which you can watch below.


Lexus Teaser
The Lexus Super Bowl 2012 Ad will promote the new 2013 Lexus GS 350. It is the first ever Super Bowl Ad for Lexus.


Bridgestone "Time to Perform" Teaser
"Bridgestone Americas was one of the first companies to begin offering highly produced and entertaining teasers ahead of our Super Bowl commercials when we began doing so four years ago," said Philip Dobbs, Chief Marketing Officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "Now it has become standard practice for Super Bowl advertisers to produce really creative and suspenseful teasers. This year's sneak peak reveals how the Bridgestone brand plans to change the world of sports with its new line of tire technology-infused performance balls (and puck) that were introduced in the first "Press Conference‟ TV spot of the campaign.

Bridgestone "Time To Perform"

Bridgestone "Press Conference"


Skechers "Mr. Quiggly" Teaser
Kim Kardashian is replaced by a french bulldog named Mr. Quiggly in Skechers GOrun 2012 Big Game Commercial.


H&M David Beckham Bodywear Collection Teaser:
H&M teases their new commercial for David Beckham Bodywear in Super Bowl XLVI. In the spot he is sporting various pieces from the new collection including the briefs (USD 12.95) and trunks (USD 14.95). The ad will air during the 2nd quarter of the Super Bowl.


Special thanks to SupercarHall for some of the additional info

New Mercedes Benz Film by Alex Prager Stars Lara Stone. And a Look Behind The Scenes.

Alex Prager’s New Short For Mercedes-Benz starring Dutch model Lara Stone (and shown further down in this post) is a bit Mary Poppins, a bit Wizard of Oz, heavy on the pretty and light on the concept. Given that it's one top model shilling for another, it may not matter. Both Lara Stone and the SL Roadster are nice to look at and the film shot by Alex Prager is compelling visually. I have no idea what it says about Mercedes Benz, but perhaps you will see something I don't.



press release:
Mercedes-Benz USA announces today the 2012 Fashion Collaboration starring the new SL Roadster with Lara Stone in Calvin Klein Collection, captured by Alex Prager.



The 2012 Mercedes-Benz Icons of Style images by Alex Prager can be described as: A beautiful woman stands alone in the desert, suitcases in hand. Yet in this 21st century update on classic Film Noir, the blonde is her own getaway driver, outpacing a tornado in a sleek SL Roadster by Mercedes-Benz.




The American photographer and filmmaker, Alex Prager, is known for creating surreal and enigmatic movie moments inspired by Frederico Fellini and David Lynch. Yet in her versions - heady with mystery, lust and desire - the woman is in control.



Of her enigmatic images for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Icons of Style, Alex Prager said she chose cinematic greats as her Icons of Style. "I constantly reference Fellini characters and Hitchcock as well," said Prager. Dutch supermodel, Lara Stone plays the update on the Hitchcock blonde, a strong protagonist who overcomes loneliness and fear. This inner strength is underscored by a timeless and elegant dress worn by Lara Stone and designed by Calvin Klein Collection's Women's Creative Director, Francisco Costa.



The SL Roadster featured in the latest Mercedes-Benz Icon of Style campaign, combines technical innovation with sleek sportiness and classic luxury and reinterprets the legendary Mercedes-Benz classic of the 1950s for today. Lara Stone commented, "It's an honor to work with Mercedes-Benz on a project like this.




Both Mercedes-Benz and Calvin Klein Collection brands represent great luxury and timeless elegance and it was a really unique experience."With a notoriety of creating images inspired by Fellini and Lynch, American photo and film artist Alex Prager, working alongside Creative Director Valentina Ilardi Martin, references the Wizard of Oz in the production of the A/W 2012 Mercedes-Benz Icon of Style.



But make no mistake, the femme fatale portrayed by Dutch supermodel Lara Stone is no Dorothy. This Hitchcock blonde is in complete command of herself, heady with mystery, dressed in Calvin Klein Collection, and aloof in the setting with the new Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster.


above: Lara Stone is dressed in Calvin Klein in the short film

In essence, this is the 1950s brought up to speed with today's look and pace: The luxury dynamism of the car and the timelessness of the fashion pieces designed by Calvin Klein Collection’s Women Creative Director Francisco Costa, all captured with a Hitchcock flair.

The short film:


The making of video:

Some production stills:




An interview with Alex Prager about the film:
Lara talks about the film:

Described by the director as “Mary Poppins meets The Wizard of Oz meets James Bond,” the fanciful short was shot in the dusty surrounds of Los Angeles. As well as conveying a sense of danger, Prager says her creation aimed to give “the impression that Lara is going somewhere interesting, off on a secret mission tucked away in those suitcases.” Known for her hyper-stylized, emotive work, the sought after young photographer and filmmaker was impressed by Stone's acting chops. “She was very on board with the whole tornado idea,” says Prager. “Being strapped into a harness with fans and rain blowing in all directions isn't the most fun thing to do, but she seemed to be enjoying herself and looking totally beautiful throughout.”



The star of campaigns for the likes of Givenchy and Jil Sander, Stone says she was more than happy to play opposite an automobile during her acting stint: “The difference about modeling with a car as opposed to with another model is that the car doesn’t talk back—which I quite like!”

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Collaboration, Icons of Style, is making its US debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2012 from February 9-15, 2012. The 2012 Icons of Style key visual is the latest in a stunning series of outstanding visuals celebrating the unique combination of design and style that is Mercedes-Benz. Nick Knight has posed Julia Stegner in Gareth Pugh with the SLS AMG; Miles Aldridge photographed Milla Jovovich wearing a spectacular hat from Philip Treacy next to the Mercedes E-Class Convertible; Craig McDean and David James staged Karolina Kurkova next to the new CLS and last season, Terry Richardson captured Jessica Stam on the roof of the A-Class concept car.

The protagonists:

Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

above: unveiling the car on set

The designers have presented the most recent generation of SL icons in an unmistakable way, by combining a deep sense tradition with new perspectives and visions. The result is a stylish, sporty and elegant luxury sport's car with the classic, SL-typical well-balanced proportions: the long bonnet is followed by a compact passenger compartment and the wide, sleek rear perfects the look.


above: the other star of the film on location

Understated, artistically designed lines define the powerfully modelled yet smooth surfaces of its silhouette. Finely engineered details from the dynamic, traditional form repertoire of Mercedes-Benz visually underline the legend of the SL. From a technological perspective, the SL presents itself as a spectacular trendsetter. Manufactured almost completely from aluminium, it weighs a lot less than its predecessor. Innovations like the unique FrontBass system, which turns the SL into a concert hall, whether open or closed, or the adaptive MAGIC VISION CONTROL System are all pioneering developments with an eye to the future.

Alex Prager

above: Alex Prager watching a playback on set

Self-taught Alex Prager from Los Angeles is a rising star in the photographer sky. On a visit to a William Egglestone exhibition, Alex Prager made the decision to start taking photos herself. Since then, the 32-year-old photographic artist and filmmaker has impressed with her unconventional photography at several solo and group exhibitions. Her productions are inspired by the style of the sixties, as well as by the films by great directors like Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch and Frederico Fellini. Alex Prager describes her photography as a documentation of a world that at the same time exists and yet does not exist. In addition to her well-received trilogy with the series "Polyester", "The Big Valley" and "Week-end", Alex Prager has also made a name for herself as a fashion photographer. Her "Lofty Ambitions" editorial featured in the September issue of US Vogue and she also shot the spring/summer 2011 campaign by Bottega Veneta with Karolina Kurkova.

Lara Stone


The native Dutch model is currently top of the worldwide rankings on Models.com. Since her breakthrough in 2006 she has been the campaign face for top labels like Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Max Mara and Versace, has worked with star photographers including Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Craig McDean, Mario Sorrenti and Terry Richardson and has modelled on the catwalk for all major, international fashion houses. The gap between her two front teeth has become one of her trademark features.She is currently the face of Calvin Klein and has been linked to the brand for quite some time. French Vogue dedicated a whole issue to Lara Stone in February 2009, and fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld shot a short film with her.

Calvin Klein Collection's Francisco Costa
Francisco Costa is the critically acclaimed Women's Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection. Mr. Costa assumed this role in 2003 after working directly with Calvin Klein and other top design houses of Gucci, Balmain Couture, and Oscar de la Renta. Mr. Costa's first collection for Calvin Klein Collection debuted for Spring 2004. Known for his timeless, elegant designs, Mr. Costa has received numerous awards for his work, including being twice named the Womenswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and is a recipient of the Cooper-Hewitt National Fashion Design Award. A graduate of F.I.T., Mr. Costa was born into a family with deep roots in fashion, and grew up in the small Brazilian town of Guarani near Rio de Janiero, where his mother and father owned a successful apparel business.

www.mercedes-benz.com/fashion

Calvin Klein

Alex Prager is represented by M+B

Hot Wheels On Steroids - Slot Mods Luxury Custom and Replica Slot Car Raceways.

With humble apologies to Mattel's Hot Wheels, once you've seen these luxury slot car raceways, it's hard not to move them to the top of any slot-car hobbiest's wish list.







Slot Mods creates museum quality hand-crafted custom and replica raceway slot car tracks (of some of the world's most famous raceways) for serious slot car racing enthusiasts. Whether you're a NASCAR, Formula One or Vintage Car racing fan, these miniature scaled functioning raceways will blow you away.






From the pole position to the pit-stop, incredible detailing and beautiful craftsmanship make these perfect for commercial applications, showrooms or simply the ultimate man cave. Founded by David Beattie, the creations start at $15,000 and can go as high as $75,000.







A video of one of their custom slot car raceways in action:


Born from their passion of vintage racing, Slot Mods is now offering limited-edition replicas of cars from one of the greatest eras of racing inside which is a slot car raceway.



Their first offering: the RCR 917 that Vic Elford and Gerald Larrousse drove to victory at the 1971 12 Hours of Sebring. With just a push of a button, the body opens to reveal the ultimate slot car racing experience!



The RCR 917 is a faithful reproduction with fiberglass body panels true to its original shape. Specifications: rolling aluminum 3-piece original-style center lock wheels, race-worn tires, working headlights and taillights, and inside…a beautiful 1/32 scale wooden slot car raceway, featuring handcrafted, period-correct signs, banners, aluminum Armco railing, trees and structures.

But they couldn’t stop there. Also available to test your endurance, they’re offering the RCR GT40, RCR P4, and RCR T70. Choose period livery, or your own design.

"This is slot racing at it’s best!…combining the fun of slot car racing with the great tracks and history of the sport." Derek Hill – Race Drive & son of legendary Phil Hill

“Bodies provided by Race Car Replicas. Slot Mods has no affiliation with Ford Motor Co, Porsche, Ferrari, and Lola Cars.“

See their impressive portfolio and learn more at Slot Mods

Updated: A Full-sized Hot Wheels Camaro From Chevrolet Is Unveiled at the 2011 SEMA Show.

It's Mean. It's Green. And it's modeled on one of the original die-cast Hot Wheels from 1968. The Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept Car, unveiled at the 2011 SEMA show re-creates one of the original Mattel toy car designs from 1968.


above: the original Custom Camaros from Hot Wheels and below: A reissue of the 1968 Classic Custom Camaro Hot Wheels toy.


Inspired by the “Custom Camaro” – the dazzling Spectraflame 1:64-scale toy was part of the original 16 Hot Wheels cars released by Mattel in 1968. The project was a collaborative effort between the General Motors Design studio in Michigan and the Hot Wheels Design studio in California.



The bright green electroluminescent paint was applied by four painters with spray guns while the body of the 2012 coupe rotated on a rotisserie. The result is a chrome finish with ionized metal tinted green like the original Spectraflame finish on the toy.




The reflective finish was created using Gold Touch Inc.’s Cosmichrome product, starting with the application of a primer coat on an immaculately prepared surface. The primer coat was then sprayed with a liquid-metal solution to create the mirror-smooth, silver-chrome base coat. Afterward, the green tint was applied in several layers until the just-right color effect was achieved.



Here are the concept sketches:


The actual car revealed at SEMA (with an appropriate set design):



The interior:


and the original Hot Wheels Custom Camaro die-cast toy car:


And the new commemorative collector's model of the 2011 Hot Wheels Chevrolet Camaro Concept:


Hot Wheels will offer the above collector’s edition 1:64-scale model based on the full-size Concept. Purchase information is available at www.hotwheelscollectors.com, as well as the Hot Wheels and Chevrolet Camaro Facebook pages.



It will be the 18th 1:64-scale Hot Wheels Camaro model produced since 1968, all with a variety of colors and configurations. During the past 44 years, literally millions of Hot Wheels Camaro models have been produced.

The original Custom Camaro from 1968 remains one of the most valuable Hot Wheels toys among collectors. That year, Hot Wheels produced all the Custom Camaro models with Spectraflame paint – except for one version in white enamel.

Today, examples of the Spectraflame Custom Camaro in excellent condition can sell for $150 or more. Only 15 white enamel versions are known to exist, and none are in their original packages.

“The value of a white enamel Custom Camaro is upwards of $3,000,” said Holst. “But if one still existed in the package, the value could be tens of thousands of dollars.”

“The Camaro has been a mainstay in the Hot Wheels lineup since 1968,” said Phil Zak, GM design director. “Several generations of car enthusiasts grew up playing with Hot Wheels Camaros, while dreaming of driving the real thing, so this was a once-in a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality.”



Power for the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept comes from an all-aluminum 6.2 liter LS3 V-8 mated to a Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual transmission.

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept features include:

• Over Chrome Green paint with ghosted Hot Wheels logo on the quarter panels
• Satin black ground effects (splitter, rocker and rear fascia-side extensions)
• Satin black wheels with milled face and Torch Red stripe: 20×10-inch (front) and 20×11-inch (rear)
• ZL1 grille with Hot Wheels badging
• Hot Wheels badge on the decklid
• Euro-style taillamps with new inner smoked lens
• Euro-style rear fascia with new diffuser and exhaust bezels
• ZL1 rear spoiler
• Chevrolet Accessories Modified Satin Black Stripe
• Black aluminum “CAMARO” fender badges with milled face
• Black aluminum hood insert with milled hood vent extractors
• Chevrolet Accessories Synergy Series gill decals
• Black leather IP and door inserts with Torch Red accents, and cut-and-sew flames
• Hot Wheels sill plates
• Hot Wheels cut-and-sew embroidered logos in the front seatbacks
• Chevrolet Accessories pedal kit
• Chevrolet Accessories footwell and cup holder lighting (red)
• Brembo brakes: six-piston front with two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Suspension lowering kit by Pedders (Chevrolet Official Licensed Product)
• Chevrolet Accessories strut tower brace
• Chevrolet Accessories black engine cover
• Chevrolet Accessories exhaust system

images and info from GM.com, EMGcartech and CarBodyDesign