It spurred a million think pieces and spoofs, and it’s the current enfant terrible of … er, terrible advertising. Yes, we’re talking about that Peloton ad that people either can’t get enough of or get away from fast enough.
There’s been all kinds of backlash about the pandering, sexist vibe the spot gives off and the actress who is the main character (tabbed “Peloton Girl”) is bearing the brunt of the jokes.
But she’s back.
And, this time, she’s in an ad—for Aviation Gin that hit social media tonight—that does a complete 180 and could be the salvation story of the year.
Instead of on-the-move selfies reserved for the very best of influencers (“Hey, guys!), our now hero actress is at a bar, enjoying an Aviation Gin martini … or two. We get the same catatonic, glassy look but, this time, our hero actor is among friends, who lend their support for perhaps the grim mistake she made in starring in what could be one of the worst ads in recent memory. There’s no setup needed because everyone is in on the gag.
Reynolds’ Aviation Gin most recently released an ad inside an ad inside an ad—call it the turducken of TV advertising—when he combined an ad for his spirits brand with his Netflix movie 6 Underground and a Samsung TV. Reynolds has squared off with Hugh Jackman in a previous spot, and in another worked with Richard Branson, all in the name of touting his gin brand.
Chalk up yet another win for the marketing team at the Ryan Reynolds-owned gin brand. This could be the coup of … well, at least the week.
We don’t know the actress’s name, yet, but this is all kinds of genius. Not only did Aviation Gin hijack a cultural moment, they got the real actor to star in this ad … no “re-envisioning,” no parody or satire, but the real deal.
Of course, this likely means there won’t be too much work from Peloton coming her way. But, at this point, does it really matter? Redemption usually comes well after a mistake is made, but to flip the script in a few days like this is the thing of legend. And our guess is that she’ll do just fine.
https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/peloton-girl-stars-as-herself-in-the-greatest-sequel-ever-an-aviation-gin-ad/