Oh goodie, another hilarious example of prankvertising

A cabbie takes two supposedly unsuspecting riders on a stunt-filled journey of terror. Look at their wide-eyed fear! Watch as they hold on for dear life! Freeze-frame to see if they've wet their pants! Oh wait, what's this? What a surprise, there's a big reveal at the end! Oh goodness, it turns out they were not actually at the mercy of a deranged sociopath but rather in the capable hands of former F1 driver David Coulthard! And he was wearing a funny moustache. Ha ha. Look at the surprise and delight on their faces! I guess they won't be filing a lawsuit after all!

In reality, of course, this is nothing more than prankvertising. It's a closed road. The riders are actors who knew exactly what was happening. It's probable they weren't even in the car when the most extreme shots were done. It's also highly likely that the shoot took days, and it's also possible that due to insurance, Coulthard wasn't doing all the driving. 

Ad Nut supposes the actors playing the parts of the riders might have been genuinely surprised to learn Coulthard's identity. But even so, the film is not at all what it purports to be. And moreover, everyone knows that. So why, Ad Nut asks, is this format still so common and—unless brands and agencies are seriously deluded—effective?

Actually, don't answer that. In a world where fake news about non-existent scandals helps an unqualified former reality-TV star who actively denies reality become US president, fake ads fit right in. So carry on! This is all fine.

The film, by the way, is for auto insurer Aviva, and it's by Adam & Eve/DDB in the UK (Campaign UK has details including credits).

Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for some unknown reason has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over the world and presents them for your viewing pleasure. Because Ad Nut loves you. Need more ads? Visit Ad Nut's colleagues: Campaign UK | Campaign US | Campaign India | Campaign Turkey | Campaign Middle East