What does Usain Bolt's 100m dash and the Nissan GT-R's quarter mile run have in common? Both can complete their respective sprints in just 10 seconds.
Tying up the two kings of speed, Nissan is launching a new ad campagin, titled "What If_", and has enlisted the help of triple Olympic gold medalist, multiple world record holder, and global superstar Usain Bolt as their global spokesperson. A Nissan GT-R owner since 2009, Usain Bolt is excited to work with Nissan in this high-profile collaboration. "Nissan GT-R is a wonderful car and perfect for me. I love everything in it. I enjoy driving it, and I feel completely safe, and that is the key thing for me."
Developed by global agency TBWA, the Bolt x GT-R ad is just the beginning of a series that represents Nissan's first-ever global brand campaign. Pulling out all the stops, the Japanese automaker aims for its series to provoke consumer curiosity by featuring intriguing headlines combined with a showcase of iconic Nissan products and technologies that represent Nissan's ability to innovate and excite.
The first Bolt and Nissan GT-R "What If_" ad will a banner that runs in multiple major airports across the globe. Beginning today, June 1, the first 13 airports to roll out the advertisement include Heathrow (London), Narita (Tokyo), Kansai (Osaka), Hong Kong, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, JFK Int'l (New York), Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Frankfurt, Rome, and Johannesburg.
The "What If_" campaign is scheduled to run for a number of years, and will continuously evolve and expand to other mediums including online, offering sharable content and deeper storytelling. Nissan promises that its message will be constantly refreshed in efforts to surprise the audience and deepen their understanding of Nissan operations.
Finally, we present a rather unconventional head-to-head comparison. Inapplicable? Yes, but it's no less impressive:
Usain Bolt
Nationality: Jamaica
Birth date: August 21, 1986 (25 years old)
Height: 195cm
Personal Record: 100m in 9.58 sec in 2009 (World Record), 200m in 19.19 sec in 2009 (World Record), 4x100m relay in 37.04 sec in 2011 (World Record)
London Olympic Games: Expected to participate in 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay
Nissan GT-R owner: From 2009
Nissan GT-R
Nationality: Born in Japan, seen on roads globally
Birth date: December 6, 2007 (released in Japan)
0 - 60 mph: 2.7 seconds
0 - 100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
Number sold: over 21,000
