This Souped-Up 3-Wheel Motorcycle Comes Out Cursing in Its First Big Ad

Let's be perfectly clear about the target demo for this UFO-looking, three-wheeled exotic open-air roadster: If you do currently or have ever ridden a Segway, this vehicle is most definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you're a risk-taking adrenaline junkie with mad money to spend on a powerful toy, Polaris Industries has just the spring splurge for you. It's called Slingshot, and its aggressive new ad campaign from Team One aims not only to lovingly showcase the product features but also to issue a challenge. "We dare you to ignore it," the ad says. "We dare you to categorize it. We dare you to rationalize it," and, finally, "Drive one at your Slingshot dealer. We f—in' dare you." Unofficial slogan: Not for candy-asses. [kickout id="1"] In using the bleeped swear word, a first for Team One, the agency takes a page from a few other marketers like Reebok, Newcastle and Fabletics, but doesn't intend for the F-bomb to be "capricious," said Craig Crawford, group creative director. "We're not doing it just because we can, or just to grab attention," Crawford said. "We want to push the buttons of a certain type of person. We're saying, 'Step up if you have what it takes.' We think that will motivate trial." The original kicker for the ad was less provocative—"We triple dare you," referring to the Slingshot's three wheels. But the client was up for something more forceful, "not to be offensive but to put a fine point on it, to be true to what the vehicle is," said Kevin Reilly, Slingshot's senior marketing director. The campaign rolls out with March Madness, and it's the highest-profile ad placement in Slingshot's young life (the brand, a sibling of Indian Motorcycles, launched a few years ago). A PG-version of the ad will air during NCAA games on ESPN, the CBS Sports Network and TBS and TNT on Dish. The still-SFW commercial with the lightly disguised F-bomb will get distribution on digital and social channels. The goal is to reach beyond the initial target of motorcyclists to sports-car enthusiasts, outdoorsy off-roaders, boaters, snowmobilers and all-around adventure seekers. March Madness represents "the sweet spot of the person we're chasing," Crawford said, mainly middle-aged men with plenty of eff-you money. Slingshot, which sells for about $20,000 to $30,000, is considered a motorcycle in half of the U.S., even though owners sit in and not on it, and passengers ride beside not behind the driver. But it's now classified as an auto-cycle in 26 states (drivers need only a regular driver's license to operate it), opening up the potential buying pool beyond the traditional biker crowd, Reilly said, even though it's still obviously not a commuter car. With the new tagline, "We dare you," and a 28 percent bump in marketing spend, the brand aims to build its brand awareness. Team One, which worked on Indian Motorcycles already and added the Slingshot business recently, took an elegant, high-end approach to this first campaign, reminiscent of commercials for another of its luxury clients, Lexus. But there's an emphasis on showing how "insanely low, absurdly powerful" the Slingshot is, with the spot capturing slow-motion donuts and rubber-burning peel-outs. "We went with high production value with the intent to show that driving it is all the fun you can imagine," said Crawford, whose executives coined the phrase "broken DNA, thrill-seeker" as a psychographic description for the target buyer. In other words, wimps need not apply. CREDITS Client: Slingshot Steve Menneto – President, Polaris Motorcycle Division Kevin Reilly – Senior Marketing Director Rachael Elia – Marketing Manager Production Company: Sibling Rivalry Joe Wright – Director Maggie Meade – Executive Producer / Partner Shelby Ross – Executive Producer Joanna Fillie – Head of Production Amanda Clark Altham – Producer Bryan Cook – Editor Adolfo Martinelli – Colorist James Bohn – Flame Artist Bob Gremore – Sound Engineer Team One Chris Graves - Chief Creative Officer Craig Crawford – Group Creative Director Scott Ivener – Copywriter Patrick Dougherty – Art Director Reilly Park – Producer Steve Bava – Management Director, Client Services Landon Nguyen – Account Director Taylor Toomey – Account Executive Jen Grant – Management Director, Strategy Robert Watchmaker – Junior Planner David Peake – Director of Business Affairs Karen Thomas- Senior Project Manager

AdFreak

This Souped-Up 3-Wheel Motorcycle Comes Out Cursing in Its First Big Ad

Slingshot dares you. Like, for real

T.L. Stanley

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T.L. Stanley