Are you sitting down? If not, please do it. We are not kidding when we say that these three videos are a little strange. In fact, the first one at the top of this article is not so strange, except for a Norwegian speaker who looks a lot like Tormund Giantsbane from The Game of Thrones. As for the other two, how do you feel about the fish? Specifically, salmon? Crude salmon? Yes, please have a seat.
So, first, some backstory. The Super Bowl LV is on February 7, and although it is a little seasoned this year with COVID still a problem, some automakers are still showing some smart ads. General Motors launched its EV-focused ad in a fun play with Will Ferrell basically declaring automotive war in Norway, which sells more electric vehicles per capita than any other country in the world. Your mission is crush them with GM’s Ultium-powered EVs, and in the typical Will Ferrell style, irrationally furious antics ensue.
That announcement fell on February 3. On February 5, we received a response from Norway, or rather, a response from Audi on behalf of Norway. It appears that Norwegians are somewhat discouraged by GM’s sudden desire to crush Norway’s current reign as the EV sales leader. It is true that Will Ferrell literally pounding Norway out of a fragile-looking globe can be interpreted as a little threatening, but that is not the point. The point is that the Audi e-Tron is the best selling EV in Norway. Do you see where this is going? Not you really I don’t see where this is going.
The first video was straightforward and fun, even incorporating a destroyed globe similar to the GM ad. And yes that is The Game of Thrones Kristofer Hivju who is really a proud Norwegian. We are trying to save the world he proclaims at the end of the video, but then we move on to video number two (above) which explains how the Norwegians fight. Ferrell may have a wave of anger, but how will he do against a screaming salmon attack?
But wait, there’s more.
The final video also incorporates salmon. Apparently, salmon is big in Norway, even on pizza. In fact, you don’t just throw it as cover. You wrap the whole pizza around raw fish and tear it up with reckless abandon. In the midst of all this, Audi continually reminds us that the e-Tron is the best selling EV in Norway and has advised GM not to hate, but to imitate. See, we said it was weird.
We have no idea if all of this was planned in advance, but with the videos coming specifically from Audi Norway, we suspect that this was actually a last-minute response. If so, congratulations on producing three creative videos in a very short period of time. Also, don’t expect to see these clips during the big game. It’s all right; when you have raw fish-eating Tormund Giantsbane and try to save the world, it’s not difficult to get some publicity.