"The Misadventures of Simon"

25 July 2025

30s

Countryslide.

This fine piece of work for Green Flag looks, on first viewing, as though it's a trailer for a new low-budget version of 'White Lotus'... an idea amplified by the music which bears a passing resemblance to Cristóbal Tapia de Veer's work on the hit HBO show. The ad's determined protagonist sets off on a perilous rescue mission after the family vehicle breaks down, unaware that his dad already has it covered, by dint of his membership to the advertised breakdown service.

Once you run with an idea like this, you want to make sure it has the legs, as it were, and director Tore Frandsen has done exactly that, providing a silly roustabout for the young man as he slips and slides his way across the countryside with heroism his main motivation.

'Nothing beats near' is an excellent motto, and an interesting upgrade on Green Flag's previous marketing strategy which appeared to acknowledge that its two bigger rivals have greater reach, and that Green Flag's superiority lies in a more personal approach.

The new line feels like it's derived from a solid customer insight and enables the brand to make a claim about their network that doesn't require them to demonstrate that that they have as big a fleet as the AA and the RAC. Clever, and an excellent job all round.

UK

Motor Breakdown Services