Campaign

Fiat 500 Abarth Reveal

See the full experience 
the rundown

The only way to convince a skeptical American audience that a Fiat could have real-deal performance capabilities was to prove it. Employing the gutsy Fiat 500 Abarth, we took on the US automotive enthusiast, determined to turn these “gear-heads” into believers. Our plan was intuitively simple – prove it – so we used digital to bring the excitement to life in undeniable ways. Focusing on the most electrifying of the Fiat vehicles – The Fiat 500 Abarth – we knew the right interactive experience would convey the thrill, and as a result the whole Fiat brand would thrive.

Image of campaign

The Building Blocks

Teaser media brought people to a site to watch the unveiling of the first ever Fiat Abarth in America live at the LA Auto Show. When the online chatter drove our edgy web video into becoming a Super Bowl spot, we saw digital turning traditional automotive branding on its head. Special racing events put bloggers behind the wheel of The Scorpion on a professional racetrack. An interactive race experience allowed users to switch cameras on the fly, bringing the exhilaration of the Fiat 500 Abarth to life in a way that nothing but a trip to a dealership could surpass.
  •   Display
    Display
  •   Social
    Facebook
  •   Video
    YouTube

The Votes

The Details

Agency
Brand
Chrysler Group LLC
Targeted Regions
  • North America
Marketing Objective
Launch Date
April 12, 2012

The Team

  • SapientNitro www.sapientnitro.com
  • Jake Wheeler, Associate Creative Director
  • Boris Stojanovich, Director Miami Studio
  • Alan Clisch, Account Director

The Stats

  • 8.5 million YouTube Hits
  • 642 percent sales up vs. prior year

The Results

Initial shipment to the dealerships was sold out before the cars ever hit the lot. Over 35,000 people signed up for purchase information – 10 times more than the 3,500 Abarth’s available. The Abarth halo drove a record number of Fiat 500 sales in February 2012. In March 2012 that record was smashed by another 15%, with March 2012 sales up over the prior year by a remarkable 642%. For the cost of producing one traditional TV spot, digital succeeded in doing what TV couldn’t.

Image of campaign