Leo Burnett Gets Surreal for Honda

By Erik Oster 

Leo Burnett, Melbourne launched a surreal ad for the new Honda HR-V called “Dreamrun.”

The spot opens on a man in a restaurant reading a book on lucid dreaming, the first clue that it doesn’t take place in waking reality. After looking down at his plate and seeing his eggs get all swimmy he leaves the restaurant, only to be chased by a pair of men telling him, “It’s time to wake up now, Brian.” He finds he’s holding a steering wheel as the Honda HR-V assembles before his eyes, functioning as his getaway vehicle. Things only get weirder from here as he’s joined by his talking pet dog.

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It’s one of the stranger car ads you’ll see, and also one of the most visually striking, as Leo Burnett creates a surreal world and draws the viewer in. “Dreamrun” has enough surprises and humor to keep things interesting, and the concluding line “For wherever you dream of going” and subsequent “The Power of Dreams” tagline do a reasonable job of tying everything together.

Credits:

Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, Melbourne, Australia
Executive Creative Director: Jason Williams
Senior Copywriter: Garret Fitzgerald
Senior Art Director: Joe Hill
Senior Broadcast Producer: Cinnamon Darvall
Director: Nathan Price
Production Company: Goodoil Films
Executive Producer: Juliet Bishop
Producer: Claris Harvey
DOP: Ginny Loane
Production Designer: Guy Treadgold
Editor: Jack Hutchings / The Butchery
VFX: Alt VFX

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