Bill Murray reprising his role as Phil Connors for a Jeep Gladiator Super Bowl ad commercial is drawing heavy interest online.
The commercial’s other star? A brilliant orange Toledo-made Jeep Gladiator pickup truck.
The Groundhog Day parody featuring the Gladiator debuted during the big Super Bowl game Sunday night and in less than 1 week the ad already had over 50 million views on YouTube.
The actor is seen awakening on Groundhog’s Day — which coincided with Super Bowl Sunday this year — and fears he’s falling into a time loop almost like the one experienced within the 1993 Groundhog Day film.
Mr. Murray walks outside and bumps into Ned Ryerson, another character from the movie, before recognizing a brand new Gladiator parked on the road.
“Well that’s really different,” Bill Murray says in the big game Commercial.
The actor steals the famed Punxsutawney Phil groundhog, hops in the Gladiator, and takes the pickup off-roading. He repeats the technique for several days, a play on the film plot, and takes the groundhog on different adventures.
Mr. Murray is recognised to be tough to track down and had never filmed a national commercial.
In a news release, Chief Marketing Oliver Francois stated he met the actor a few years ago and relied on the exchange to convince the actor and comedian to sign on.
“I knew then that he was ideal for Jeep,” Francois said. Because like Jeep, Murray is a free spirit, he intentionally seeks out ways to discover adventure and live an amazing life.
When we discovered that Groundhog Day fell on Super Bowl Sunday for the 2nd time in 54 years, we couldn’t help but take that chance.
The stars magically aligned. Bill agreed to do the first national commercial ad in which he’s ever appeared, and not only that, relive his role as Phil Connors for the new Jeep Gladiator.
But this time, in our spot, the hero makes a special preference by choosing an exceptional pickup truck – the Jeep Gladiator – and it changes everything for him.
Gallery: Jeep Gladiator Super Bowl Ad
Jeep Gladiator Super Bowl ad | www.DriveronRoad.com
Near the end of the 60-second spot, Mr. Murray says to the groundhog, “Not a terrible day, huh?” A banner then shows up on the display screen that says “No day is the same in a Jeep Gladiator.”
Mr. Murray informed Fiat Chrysler, “This is my first commercial. I’m happy I did it with Jeep. And I’m satisfied that this is my final commercial, as well.”
Several places from the film are seen in the ad, together with the original bed-and-breakfast the place Mr. Murray’s character wakes up every morning.
Also featured are the restaurant where Phil Connors toasts to world peace and also the town square where the Groundhog Day festival takes place.
Jeep partnered with Chicago-based Highdive ad organisation to produce the spot.
Viewers additionally caught a glimpse of Jeep’s e-bike, which is set to be launched this summer. The electric powered bicycle is powered with a 750-watt motor and a battery with a 40-mile range.
USA Today’s Ad Meter ranks commercials primarily based on consumers’ scores, and the Jeep advert ranked No.1 on the night.
The cost for a 30-second Super Bowl commercial this year was about $5.6 million, according to AdAge.
