The Albatross Cars Advert We Never Aired – But Should Have!
⏰Read time: 2 minutes
Every brand has its “what if” moments—those creative ideas that never quite made it to the spotlight. For Albatross Cars, one of those moments was an advert we filmed a decade ago but never aired. And judging by the reaction to my recent LinkedIn post, it seems like we may have made a mistake keeping it locked away!
⚽ The Concept: A Derby vs. Forest Showdown
The idea was simple yet hilarious. A devoted Derby County fan thinks he’s on the perfect date with Britney Spears (or at least, someone he believes is Britney Spears). Everything is going smoothly until she unzips her jacket, revealing a Nottingham Forest shirt underneath!
For any Derby County supporter, this is the ultimate betrayal. And what does our heartbroken fan do? He makes a swift exit—jumping into an Albatross Cars taxi, because, well, we’re always There When You Need Us!
🗄️ Why We Shelved It
Looking back, I can’t quite remember why we never aired the advert. Maybe we thought it was too cheeky. Maybe we played it safe. Maybe it just got lost in the shuffle of other campaigns. Whatever the reason, it ended up in a folder, gathering digital dust—until now.
😮 The Reaction: “You Should Have Aired It!”
When I shared the throwback on LinkedIn, I wasn’t expecting such a strong reaction. But the comments came flooding in—people found it hilarious and said we should have aired it. The Derby vs. Forest rivalry is legendary, and this lighthearted take on it clearly struck a chord.
Click here to read the Linkedin reactions – and watch the video!
It’s a reminder that sometimes, taking creative risks pays off. The best marketing isn’t just about being polished—it’s about being memorable. And judging by the feedback, this ad would have been exactly that.
✍️ The Lesson: Don’t Let Creativity Sit in a Folder
This experience has made me reflect on the ideas we leave behind. As marketers, we often overthink, worrying about whether something is too bold, too niche, or too risky. But if something feels good, resonates with your audience, and stays true to your brand, it’s worth putting out there.
Would airing this ad have changed the course of Albatross Cars’ marketing? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing’s for sure—people still love it, ten years later. And that says a lot.
Maybe it’s time for a remake? 🎬🚖🐏