Nissan brings 'live' advertising to Matrix screenings

by Staff,, Brand Republic 07-Nov-03, 09:10

NEW YORK - Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer, is striving to cut through consumer cynicism towards advertising by planting live actors to perform ads at screenings of 'The Matrix Revolutions'.

According to a report in the New York Times, the actors will be seated among the audience, and have been given a script that is reminiscent of a "poetry slam".

The performances will coincide with an ad appearing on the screen, ending with the Nissan Altima logo. It was been created by a Los Angeles-based agency called True, part of a wider campaign to appeal to younger people.

The campaign is due to be screened in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.

The New York Times quotes Christopher Davis, executive creative director at True, as saying: "We made sure the work would not be intrusive. We're not driving the car down the aisle."

But others disagree, saying that it is yet another example of commercialism creeping into every day lives.

'The Matrix Revolutions' opened this week, the final instalment of the trilogy starring Keanu Reeves, that combines state-of-the art special effects, dramatic fight scenes and a philosophical examination of free will versus predetermination.

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