STIHL asks Kiwis to decide to save Flossie or the beloved chainsaw in new spot via DDB Group NZ
For the last five years, DDB and STIHL have brought Kiwis the bitter family feud between two brothers and an heirloom chainsaw.
It began with ‘Bequeathed,’ the edgy and humourous tale of a brother who twists his father’s dying words in order to inherit his chainsaw. Then came ‘Mercy dash,’ the controversial sequel that showed just how far the other brother was willing to go to get it back, leaving his brother to perish in the storm.
Now the brothers are back, once again under the cruel eye of Adam Stevens from Robber’s Dog. They’re darker than ever and this time the viewer must decide how it ends.
The 30″ spot asks Kiwis to make a call whether the brother should save his beloved STIHL chainsaw or Flossie the lamb from a raging barn fire.
DDB executive creative director, Shane Bradnick, says DDB has once again pushed the boundaries of what a chainsaw advertisement should be, showing the passion Kiwis have for their STIHL tools.
Says Bradnick: “Given how much the previous campaigns resonated with the public, I’m looking forward to see the reaction this time around and which decision will be the most popular.”
Which ending will you choose?
Client: STIHL
Agency: DDB Group New Zealand
Executive Creative Director: Shane Bradnick
Creative Directors: Mark Lorrigan, Chris Schofield
Art Director: Adam Barnes
Copywriter: James O’Sullivan
Group Business Director: Scott Wallace
Executive Producer: Judy Thompson
Agency Producer: Samantha Meehan
Production Company: Robber’s Dog
Director: Adam Stevens
Executive Producer: Mark Foster
Producer: Caz Hearn
Managing Director: George Mackenzie
DOP: Mark Pugh
Editor: Paul Maxwell
Grade & VFX: Blockhead
Music Composition & Sound Design: Liquid Studios
23 Comments
Nice way to move the story along without just making a new ‘episode’. I wonder if this will have as much impact if you don’t know the back story though.
It’s funny. Farmers and the like will love it.
rather good. I’ll bet you a roasted lamb leg that the client added the sheep at the end of the second ad. Clients!
Pretty good for a third ad in the series. Well done ddb.
This is great. A lovely follow up to a hard to follow on series.
I like the push to online, although it would of worked much better in the social space as opposed to the brands actual website.
And I feel the idea gets drained a little but having to watch the full set-up again as you watch both set ups. Would of been stronger if you just picked up the action from the spot you left it in the TVC.
Well done though. very well done.
Nice one Adam, Adam and James. Like.
Ha it’s good. Smart way to evolve the story of the brothers (which was getting tired).
If i ever had a script worthy enough, I sure would go straight to Adam. a sure pair of hands.
Great creative – nice work!
Second that. I’ve shot with Adam and he’s a very good director.
i think the Flossie should be the ending. it would be sad to see the lamb die. SAVE THE FLOSSIE!
grab flossie on the run in the stihl on the run out – just mind the flamin’ fallin’ beam !!
I believe that the man will grab the chainsaw and saw through the bit of wood on fire, which is in the way of saving the lamb. Then he will grab the lamb (while still holding the chainsaw) and run out of the barn. Therefore saving both the chainsaw and the lamb.
save both grab the chainsaw cut through to flossie and get the hell out
Kiwi males are resourceful ingenious and can think on their feet, I’m sure our young hero can save both…. no sweat!
The brother runs in, grabs the Stihl, ‘rips’ through the beam & rescues Flossie. Putting the objects under each arm he will race out of the burning building & gallop away…..so saving both! Another very good advert by Stihl. By the way my hubby would love a new Stihl chainsaw!
Always Flossie, anything else sucks.
He should grab the chainsaw, crank it up and leap through the flames and cut a hole in the wall to let flossie out… LOL
Its a great add
claim the insurance on the chainsaw and have roast lamb for dinner!!
Why save Flossie, grab the chainsaw , turn flossie into chops and bbq them on the fire.lol
Use the chainsaw to rescue Flossie then run!!
I’ve only seen one ending and it stinks. To rescue the chainsaw and then go back for the petrol tin instead of Flossie is not funny as it’s teaching any young person that watches this stinking ad that an animals life means nothing. And don’t say it’s only a joke because the more you find out about what goes on in this country and the degree of animal cruelty out there the less disposed you would be to try and make a laugh out of this sort of stuff. New Zealanders are a great race and I’m proud to be one but this darker side of New Zealand is also unfortunately real. We are actually quite a cruel country. Which is why someone like Gareth Morghan can suggest killing cats and not be chased out of town. And this sort of advertising perpetuates that sad fact. There’s no evolving nation in New Zealand when it comes to the value of a life. No ‘Star Trek'[ for us. And before a whole lot of people say that what I’m saying is an overreaction, all they need do is read the SPCA list of shame which talks about goats being dragged, dogs being hung or burnt alive in their kennels in our towns and cities. Sheep being beaten to death, cats being hung in a schoolyard park etc…and many pets poisened, shot at. And who does these terrible things? Kids, teenagers, old people, drunk people, she’ll be right people and all because of the values that we pass on to our kids and allow in crass adverts like this. You could have still gotten the laugh by showing that he was torn between rescuing the chainsaw or the sheep and reluctantly choosing the sheep. Because decency would still have prevailed while giving great value to the stihl.
DDB have done your pets no favours.
Agreed not saving the lamb makes me hate the ad and the product.Not clever just offensive.