Every year at the CitNOW Video Awards the ‘Most Creative’ prize is our most hotly contested category. We love it because every year we get to see the personality of the automotive industry and the new ways in which retailers around the world use video to engage and delight their customers.
This year was no exception as the UK automotive industry submitted fresh, innovative videos featuring new promotions, customers and seasonal celebrations.
In fact, this year’s entrants in this category (the most difficult we found to shortlist down to the six finalists) underline how video has become embedded in retailers and is being used in ways we never conceived when we first launched automotive video 10 years ago.
We were so impressed with the Creative entries from this year’s awards we wanted to highlight the shortlisted videos. Showing a bit of personality and creativity in your customer communications can make all the difference to their experience. We hope you enjoy the videos!
TrustFord Wilmslow
Finding the dealership, working out where to park and where the entrance is can be a hassle. Service manager Claire came up with a solution – video. As a passenger, she is filmed being chauffeured along approaching roads whilst giving directions including showing the exact location of customer parking before introducing the team. Simple, effective and provides peace-of-mind for customers trying to find the site and a parking space.
The judges were impressed with this helpful use of video as well as the fact it could be used time and again and even uploaded onto the dealership website. A fantastic example of taking customer service to the next level.
Lookers Nissan Newcastle
The trade parts department team have become prolific video makers detailing current offers and a quick competition. But these are no ‘ordinary’ clips, always linked to a current event, this time Stu and Graham detailed their offers as though they were sports commentators for the then forthcoming Grand National. Fun, light-hearted, informative and topical.
Pentagon Lincoln Renault
When Andy discovered the customer whose car was on his ramp for a health check was hard of hearing he came up with a great solution when filming the video. By simply sticking post-it notes on the car indicating tyres and other components were in ‘good condition’ provided helpful visual hints. Thoughtful, simple and brilliantly put together.
John Banks Renault and Dacia
With a sales promotion about to launch, sales executive Bradley sent a video to encourage customers to upgrade their vehicles with a short clip showing various models and the discounts available as well as part-exchange offers finishing off with a quick introduction to the team. So much more impactful than just an email.
Motorama Mitsubishi Mooroka
A video from our friends Down Under was just 30 seconds long with three of the team promoting latest offers surrounding a new vehicle launch whilst poking fun at the national pastime of the ‘barby’. Of course, the clip was made complete with an inflatable kangaroo. Short, funny and appealing.
Wings of Peterborough
Technician John’s encounter with a creepy clown who just happens to be looking after the equipment he needs is an attention grabber. Entering into the spirit of Halloween, there was even a problem with a ‘pumpkin’ stuck in the steering components. Just don’t upset the ‘management’ or the rest of the ghosts, ghouls and zombies for that matter who chased poor John off-site. Timely, entertaining and perfect for sharing on social.
We hope you enjoyed the ‘Most Creative’ videos from this year’s awards as much as we did. You can find other videos shortlisted from the Sales, Workshop and Overseas categories here.
The winners will be announced on July 11th at our Awards ceremony held at BAFTA. We wish the best of luck to all of the finalists.
