Licence to thrill: Corvette races the Melbourne streets in new campaign

Stylish. Speedy. Slick. Sexy. These are the words humans often use to describe sports cars. As a woodland creature that scampers about on foot—or occasionally hitches a ride from an unsuspecting critter—Ad Nut has always found mankind's obsession with these loud, shiny machines puzzling. But, just as squirrels can’t resist a good acorn, humans seem to have their own vices.

After watching GMSV’s latest Corvette campaign however, Ad Nut can start to see the appeal.

The ad introduces the eighth-generation Corvette models, including the Corvette E-Ray, Stingray, and Z06, by taking viewers on a fast-paced journey from the streets of Melbourne to the high-performance Lang Lang proving ground. The storyline begins with a female driver hopping into her Corvette, zipping through the city, and maneuvering tight corners before transitioning to the open road. As the car reaches the proving ground, the pace intensifies, looking to showcase the Corvette’s agility and power on a test track to push it to its limits. The contrast between city driving and high-speed performance is intended to highlight the Corvette’s versatility—namely that it's meant to be equally capable of handling everyday commutes as it is adrenaline-fueled track days.

Created by MBCS in collaboration with MIK Studio and directed by Jolyon Watkin, the campaign taps into nostalgia by reinventing the classic ‘90s song "Love Is All Around" now retitled "Vette Vette Vette." The film features several swift, aesthetic-driven shots of the car’s interiors and exteriors—a technique often seen in automotive advertising—emphasising not just performance but the visual appeal of being seen in the car. This focus on style as much as practicality is a clear nod to the fact that the campaign is looking to attract not only long-time Corvette enthusiasts but also new drivers who value the car’s design and image just as much as its performance.

The campaign launched on October 22 and will roll out across digital platforms in Australia and New Zealand.

Now, while Ad Nut may not know the first thing about horsepower or torque (seriously, what is torque?), the film does a decent job of capturing that sense of freedom humans seem to crave on the road. The choice to cast a female Corvette driver was a welcome surprise—breaking away from the typical male-centric car ads. Ad Nut is also fully on board with the soundtrack revamp, as the playful twist on a ‘90s classic adds a whimsical touch to the sleek visuals of these cruising Corvettes.

Is the ad groundbreaking? Not exactly. It sticks to the familiar formula: Make the car shine, speed through picturesque settings, and hit that signature vroom vroom moment. However the soundtrack evokes a sense of emotion and targets two types of viewers—those chasing the high-speed thrill of the open road, and those who simply want to be seen in a statement car. Like fashion, it’s not always about practicality or price, but about the experience, feel and the image.

So, will Ad Nut be jumping into such a vehicle anytime soon? Absolutely not—flat paws and steering wheels don’t exactly mix. This squirrel will stick to the back of an unsuspecting jungle elephant or the like... much safer for everyone involved.

CREDITS:

Creative Agency: MBCS 

Managing Director - Olivia Warren
General Manager - Marshall Campbell
Creative Director - Shanan Goldring
Creative - Jacob Abi-Arrage
Head of Melbourne - Trent Peppercorn
Head of Strategy - Toby Maclachlan
Senior Account Manager - Kylie Searle
Senior Designer - Plinio Nitzsche
Designer - Dylan Watt 

Client: General Motors ANZ

General Manager Marketing & Communications, GM Specialty Vehicles - Jodie Lennon
Marketing Specialist – GM Specialty Vehicles - Emily Asta
Marketing Director, GM ANZ- Heath Walker
Digital Marketing Manager, GM ANZ - Cameron Farrant
Product Marketing Manager, GM ANZ - Gervee Sarmiento

Production Partner - MIK Studio

Director - Jolyon Watkins
Executive Producer - Ty Linegar
Senior Producer - Alan Robinson
Producer - Lauren Cooper
Production Manager - Juliet Smith
Cinematographer - Richard Kendall
Composer - Dylan Adams/ Taras Hrubyj-Piper
Sound Design - Bang Bang Studios
Edit - Mr Fox

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.