LICENSE TO DELIVER

TitleLICENSE TO DELIVER
BrandDHL
Product/ServiceLOGISTICS/DELIVERY COMPANY
Category A07. Brand Integration & Sponsorships / Partnerships for Branded Content
Entrant 180 AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Idea Creation 180 AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Production SMUGGLER London, UNITED KINGDOM
Production 2 TRIM EDITING London, UNITED KINGDOM
Production 3 PHAZE UK LTD London, UNITED KINGDOM
Production 4 GRAND CENTRAL RECORDING STUDIOS London, UNITED KINGDOM
Post Production MPC LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Credits
Name Company Position
Kalle Hellzen 180 Amsterdam Chief Creative Officer
John Messum 180 Amsterdam Executive Creative Director
Helen King 180 Amsterdam Art Director
Alex Bolderoff 180 Amsterdam Copywriter
James Southward 180 Amsterdam Senior Integrated Producer
Ben Dodwell 180 Amsterdam Business Director
Abraham Turner 180 Amsterdam Account Director
Pamela Villaflores 180 Amsterdam Business Affairs
Adam Berg Smuggler Director
Sara Flood Smuggler Executive Producer
Ben Croker Smuggler Producer
Linus Sandgren Smuggler Director of Photography
Paul Hardcastle Trim Editor
Alex Lovejoy MPC VFX Supervisor / Creative Director - 2D
Jean-Clément Soret MPC Colourist
Kayleigh Dugdale MPC VFX Producer
Matthew Collinge Phaze UK Sound Designer
Gary Turnbull Grand Central Sound Studios Sound Designer / Final Mix

Why is this work relevant for Entertainment?

Quite simply, James Bond is Entertainment. For the launch of No Time to Die, DHL wanted to highlight their successful partnership with EON Productions, through a global campaign - with the clear objective that the campaign should contribute to the popular culture and hype of the much anticipated release of the film. The aim was to deliver something that would delight Bond fans (both the casual and the obsessive). In doing so, we brought together the worlds of James Bond and DHL in a dynamic, stylish TVC that ignited positive commentary and engagement online.

Background

DHL has 15 years experience working on all five of Daniel Craig’s Bond films - they are a partner not a sponsor. As Official Logistics Partner to the latest movie No Time To Die, DHL played a crucial role delivering vital film equipment, props (and even a couple of actors), to film locations around the world - they wanted a campaign that would promote this partnership and highlight the timeliness and precision that makes for a long running and trusting partnership with EON Productions. The implicit message; If DHL can deliver for James Bond and on a blockbuster production of this magnitude, imagine how they could help your business….

Describe the creative idea

We follow a DHL courier making a delivery to James Bond. As he is about to hand over the package through the window of the waiting Aston Martin, villains in black 4x4s force 007 to flee. Moments later the courier receives an updated delivery address, returns to his van and heads off to the new destination. From the POV of the calm, knowledgeable DHL driver, as he makes his efficient and timely way to the delivery point, we observe the chaos of the car chase unfolding all around him. Naturally the courier arrives moments before Bond. In a beautifully executed, precision piece of driving, Bond skids to a halt beside the DHL guy perfectly positioned so the courier’s outstretched arm, package in hand, enters the open passenger window. A perfect delivery. “Excellent timing Mr. Bond”, the courier quips before the DB5 screeches away once again, villains in hot pursuit.

Describe the strategy

The stakes are high - Bond fans are discerning. You have to find a way to both be authentic and true to the world of Bond and somehow also contribute to it. We decided to make a car chase (of course) that embraced the world of Bond but also do something that fans hadn’t seen before. The storytelling device - the chase focused on the DHL courier as an onlooker. A regular guy trying to do his job, navigating the chaos of the car chase unfolding around him. It was important to make sure we got the detail right. Handpicking a team immersed in Bond culture - key crew from the recently wrapped No Time To Die, from stunt team to DOP, was invaluable in making sure lighting, camera work and stunt choreography lived up to fans' high expectations.

Describe the execution

Launching as part of a wider campaign to promote the partnership just after the final movie trailer was released (and Bond was therefore back in the news) the TVC aired across the world on pan-global networks like CNN, Sky and BBC World. As well as across DHL & oo7.com social media channels and the DHL campaign website notimetodie.dhl. It was reinforced by national media buys in key markets like the UK, Germany and Australia and digital OOH in the U.S.

Describe the outcome

At the time of submission the campaign is still ongoing. However, the spot has aired over 6000 times and created over 15mn broadcast impressions. EON/Universal who are the production companies behind the movie have judged the DHL spot to be the most creatively impactful and engaging of all the promotional campaigns from any partner and even including their own work to promote the film!