VanMoof launches global campaign that poses a critical question: why go back?
The e-bike pioneer calls on people to keep up the momentum of positive change and leave pre-pandemic mobility habits behind.
Amsterdam, August 10, 2021 - VanMoof launches its second televised commercial today as part of its latest global brand campaign, this time in the form of a dramatic and highly cinematic film created by VanMoof and shot by Amsterdam-based director Paul Geusebroek. VanMoof’s campaign catches the world’s attention again by inspiring people in cities to keep moving forward, instead of reverting to old and destructive pre-pandemic mobility habits.
Reverse
The new film opens on an all-too-familiar scene: the chaos of a city center in gridlock. And as sweaty commuters climb back into their metal boxes, the film’s message is clear: car domination is a thing of the past. We witness a car collision unfold in reverse; angry and frustrated drivers; stressed pedestrians in a hazy fog of pollution; and a cramped bus with frustrated passengers packing in like sardines. It’s not a pretty sight.
“Even though the whole world had to change their routines, people easily revert to old habits. But if you can change car culture; if you can change peoples’ habits – that is so powerful. Hopefully we’ve made a strong, thought-provoking piece that can spark off more conversation around this topic.”
Throughout the pandemic, people across the world started to stand up for what they believed in. Mobility became a hot topic as people chose to leave their cars at home and city legislators created more space and infrastructure for people, not cars. To put it simply, the world changed. And to make sure people keep up the momentum of positive mobility change, VanMoof is stepping in to remind them.
An iconic short film
This isn’t any old commercial. Paul Geusebroek, director at Amsterdam-based production company HALAL, was ready to pull out all the stops to create an ambitious, thought-provoking, and iconic film. Using meticulous camera and character choreography, richly cinematic imagery, and a stunning depth and scale to the production design, he’s created a film that people will remember. And if that wasn’t enough, he hopes it will steer them towards a greener, calmer, and more enjoyable lifestyle.
“My aim was that the end of the film feels like a breath of fresh air. This bicycle stands for not just the environment, but also for escaping the rut that people are in – for cycling out of that nine to five grind. It stands for freedom: everyone is stuck, but this person is just breezing through.”
The campaign runs worldwide on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and will be shown on TV in the United States as well as in the Netherlands and Germany. It will be the first time that VanMoof airs a TV commercial in the US.
Following a massive surge in e-bike demand brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the US is VanMoof’s biggest growth market. VanMoof’s commercial is airing at a critical time: it follows a study commissioned for World Bike Day by VanMoof in partnership with YouGov which evidenced the shift in mindsets and behaviors towards biking in major US cities. With existing VanMoof Brand Stores in New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, and a Los Angeles location opening in the fall, the US VanMoof community is expanding rapidly.
Climate of fear
Last year, VanMoof's first-ever TV commercial was banned from French TV by the ARPP (Autorité de Régulation Professionnelle de la Publicité) for creating “a climate of fear”. This unprecedented reaction focused the world’s attention on VanMoof. In their second advert, cars reflect the rat race of our inner-city mobility habits. The film invites viewers to rethink transportation in cities for a cleaner, greener future.
Ride the Future
With a powerful motor, automatic electronic gear shifting, integrated anti-theft technology, and the Apple Find My network, the VanMoof S3 & X3 are custom-tuned for the ultimate riding experience. VanMoof’s range of e-bikes isn’t just the most innovative and powerful the Dutch bike brand has ever made – it’s set to revolutionize the way people move around cities forever. The high-performance VanMoof S3 & X3 open the road to the latest rideable tech at £1998. Available worldwide in VanMoof Brand Stores and at vanmoof.com.
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About VanMoof
VanMoof was founded in 2009 by Taco and Ties Carlier, two Dutch brothers with a vision of the perfect city bike. Now their bikes are changing cities and leading the current wave of people choosing e-bikes. VanMoof's sleek, multi-award winning rides offer a high-tech and feature-rich experience for a devoted worldwide community of almost 200,000 riders and counting. The iconic integrated frames mirror a fully integrated end-to-end company that has upended the bike industry by taking complete ownership of everything from design and production, to sales and after-service. As one of Europe's fastest growing companies, VanMoof is on course to redefine the future of urban mobility and get the next billion on bikes. VanMoof Brand Stores can be found in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tokyo, with expansion planned to 50 cities worldwide through dedicated Service Hubs by the end of 2021. Ride the Future at vanmoof.com.
About HALAL
HALAL is an award-winning creative company that spans the worlds of advertising, entertainment, and pop culture. HALAL is an artist-first business, with an emphasis on craft and cultural impact. They have perfected the art of telling stories that move people, no matter what the medium. Over a decade, HALAL has built a creative and cultural network of multi-disciplinary talent, artists, filmmakers, photographers & producers that span the globe. Their mission is to disrupt and challenge the status quo with creative work that emotionally connects with audiences all around the world.