Super Bowl XLV · February 6, 2011 · #9 YouTube Top 10 Videos of 2011

Volkswagen: The Force

Complete Production Credits

A kid dressed as Darth Vader tries to use the Force on random objects around the house — and fails. When his father comes home in a Volkswagen Passat, the kid tries the Force on the car. He succeeds — or so he thinks.

Air Date
Feb 6, 2011
Game
Super Bowl XLV
Achievement
#9 YouTube Top 10 of 2011
Featured Credit
Contributing Writer

Ken "Spanky" Moskowitz

Ken 'Spanky' Moskowitz contributed as a writer on Volkswagen's landmark Super Bowl XLV commercial, helping shape the charming story of a little Darth Vader who believes he has the Force — a concept that became the most viral Super Bowl ad of 2011 and one of the greatest of all time.

Voted #9 on YouTube's Top 10 Videos of 2011 — one of the most viral Super Bowl ads ever made, with over 60 million views

Founder, Ad ZombiesFounder, Wedgie CreativeFeatured Keynote SpeakerFractional CMOAdvertising Consultant
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Volkswagen: The Force

About This Commercial

The Story Behind the Ad

A young boy dressed in a Darth Vader costume spends his day trying to use the Force on various objects around the house — the family dog, the washing machine, a sandwich, his baby sister — and fails each time. His frustration is palpable but adorable.

When his father arrives home in a new Volkswagen Passat, the boy tries one more time — pointing his hands at the car. To his amazement, the car roars to life. What he doesn't know is that his father, watching from inside the house, used the car's remote start feature.

The commercial was released online before the Super Bowl and immediately went viral, accumulating millions of views before it even aired on television. It was voted #9 on YouTube's Top 10 Videos of 2011 and is widely considered one of the greatest Super Bowl commercials ever made.

Complete Production Credits

Everyone Who Made It Happen

Brand / Client

Volkswagen of America
BrandVolkswagen of America
VP, MarketingTim Ellis
Director, Brand MarketingJustin Osborne

Agency / Creative Team

Deutsch LA
AgencyDeutsch LA
Chief Creative OfficerMark Hunter
Executive Creative DirectorEric Hirshberg
Creative DirectorMichael Kadin
Creative DirectorJason Elm
Art DirectorRyan Lehr
CopywriterJosh Fell
Contributing WriterKen "Spanky" Moskowitz
Head of ProductionVic Palumbo
Executive ProducerPaul Roy
Account DirectorCory Berger

Production

MJZ Productions
Production CompanyMJZ Productions
DirectorLance Acord
Executive ProducerDavid Zander
Executive ProducerScott Howard
ProducerLaurie Boccaccio
Director of PhotographyLance Acord

Post-Production / Editorial

Rock Paper Scissors · Company 3
Editorial CompanyRock Paper Scissors
EditorAngus Wall
Executive ProducerCarol Lynn Weaver
Color CompanyCompany 3
ColoristStefan Sonnenfeld
VFXThe Mill

Music

Featured Track
Featured MusicJohn Williams — The Imperial March (Star Wars)
Music LicensingWalt Disney Music Company