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Author: Aleena Gardezi

180LA’s Ad for Expedia Focuses on Connecting Across Cultures by Traveling

Posted January 21, 2017

Expedia.com launched a new marketing campaign during CNN‘S coverage of the inauguration, exposing the concept “travel the world better.” With the help of agency 180LA, Expedia’s advertisement “the Train,” shows the belief that in today’s world, connecting across cultures on a meaningful level is more important than ever.

The agency communicates Expedia’s long-held belief that travel has the power to change the world one person at a time – an insight best articulated by Mark Twain: “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” a press release explained.

“The message of ‘Travel the World Better’ is at the core of why Expedia exists. We believe that travel has the power to transform you and shape your views of the world. We believe that the more each of us travel and peek over our neighbor’s fence, we learn that we have more in common than we have different. Our hope is that everyone can take this day to reflect on how they can connect to their neighbors across the country and around the world,” said Vic Walia, Senior Director, Brand Marketing, Expedia.com.

The ad begins with a older man with a younger woman on a train.

“You will narrowly influence narrow minds. You will bridge continents, puncture prejudice, and keep peace. You may not always know it at the time but you will look back one day and know you have made this world a better place…,” the wise man tells the woman, answering a question.

The 60-second TV/online spot follows a decade-by-decade journey of a woman – reflecting back to her time as a curious 10-year-old, peeking over her neighbor’s fence, then starting a journey in her 20s – and unfolds many years later. Along the way, she receives advice, discovers empathy and understanding across cultures, and ends up sharing wise words – all because of her travels.

“Travel has the power to bring people, cultures and ideologies closer to each other,” noted William Gelner, CCO at 180LA.

DIVERGE spoke to Pierre Janneau, Creative Director to find out more.

Who is the team behind this ad?

This ad was created by a multi-cultural group of really awesome people.

Cary Ruby (US / ACD) and Florian Bodet (France / ACD)

Pierre Janneau (France / CD) and Dan Kroeger (US / CD)

Craig Keppler (South Africa / Producer), Brooke Stites (US/ account director), Rachel Gilmour (UK / Account Director), Jens Bracht (US, account manager), Anne Heuer (Planner director / US) Becca Taylor (US / Planner) and the ad was directed by John Hillcoat (Australia)

 Why did Expedia choose to air this during the inauguration?

The timing felt right. We wanted to make a statement that every single traveler has the power to positively affect the world we live in. You don’t have to go out and save the world. You just have to go out. The solution is in the process. Hopefully all people—no matter where you’re from—can find inspiration in this.

The diversity in this significant, why did you make sure to make that a point?

Not everyone has the opportunity to travel to far off lands, but whether we travel to a new part of town, a new state, a new country we inevitably come into contact with different people and cultures. That interaction helps take away the fear of the unknown. We don’t have to be alike or agree, but we’re no longer strangers. Both the visitor and the host benefit from this. That’s why travel is so important and exciting.

Why is this crucial at a time like this?

But the remedy for division doesn’t have to be unity, it might just be in coming together. Literally. Going to places where we’ll find differences of opinion and culture. Travel is magical. Not just because it’s exhilarating and beautiful and fun, but because it can change us—and in turn give us the perspective, the confidence to change the world. Ultimately, it’s unique in its ability to enable us to formulate opinions that go deeper than what we see in the news or read in our social feeds.

Additional thoughts?

Go make the world a better place. Whatever you believe that to be.

PRODUCTION CREDIT LIST

EXPEDIA

“TRAIN”

Client: Expedia

Senior Director Brand Marketing: Vic Walia

Brand Marketing Manager: Jessica Eichner

Agency: 180LA

Chief Creative Officer: William Gelner

Executive Creative Director: Eduardo Marques & Rafael Rizuto

Creative Director: Pierre Janneau

Creative Director: Dan Kroeger

Associate Creative Director: Cary Ruby

Associate Creative Director: Florian Bodet

Head of Integrated Production:  Natasha Wellesley

Executive Producer: Craig Keppler

Group Account Director: Rachel Gilmour

Brand Director: Brooke Stites

Brand Manager: Allison Landrum

Brand Manager: Jens Bracht

Planner: Becca Taylor

Planning Director: Anne Heuer

Director of Business Affairs: Loretta Zolliecoffer

Film Production

Production Co: Stink LA
Director: John Hillcoat
DP: Robert Elswit

Managing Director: Jeff Baron

Executive Producer: James Cunningham

Producer: Scott Craig
Shoot Locations: Uruguay & Malaysia

Editorial 
Editorial Company: Exile LA
Editor: Elliot Graham

Assistant Editor: Brandon Lawrence

Executive Producer: Carol Lynn Weaver

Producers: Brittany Carson, Ashley Bartell, Toby Louie

Completion/Special Effects

VFX house: Saint

Flame Artist: Rob Trent

Executive Producer: Helen Park

Producer: Mary O’Gara

Producer: Kristin Thoegersen

Recording Mix
Recording Studio: Lime

Mixer: Zac Fisher

Executive Producer: Susie Boyajan

Music:

Music: We Are Walker
Composer: Robert Miller

Founder/Executive Producer: Sara Matarazzo

Sound Design:
Sound Design: Formosa

Composer: Per Hallberg

Producer: Lauren Cascio