Toyota Australia has launched the new GR Yaris, including its auto variant, with a campaign developed by independent agency HERO.
The platform, Nice to Know It Could, is based on the idea that enthusiasts value the extreme capabilities of performance cars, even if they’re rarely used. With engineering drawn from the World Rally Championship, the GR Yaris is positioned as ready for both rally stages and weekday commutes.
The multichannel rollout spans TV, BVOD, SVOD, cinema, digital, OOH and social, supported by gamified environments and behind-the-scenes content.
The 60-second hero spot, shot in Williamstown and Parwan Ride Park, blends suburban and rally settings. It features large-scale stunts including a seven-metre-high fast-food drive-through, accessible only via a mid-air jump. Directed by Sam Walker of Exit Films, the film is set to “Hertz” by Melbourne punk band Amyl and The Sniffers.
“We set out to capture the exhilaration that comes with a car and driver moving as one,” Vin Naidoo, Chief Marketing Officer, Toyota Australia, said.
“With the GR Yaris, that visceral connection is immediate and instinctive, turning even the most ordinary roads into something extraordinary.
“The film is our way of letting audiences experience that sensation for themselves, not just in what they see, but in what they feel, even though the stunts are out of the realms of possibility for everyday drivers.”
Shane Geffen, Executive Creative Director, HERO, said: “You’d never need to push a performance car like the GR Yaris to its limits during everyday driving, but there’s comfort in knowing you could rather than needing it to.
“We’re proud to partner with Toyota and Exit to bring this insight to life in a bold and memorable way.”
The launch extends HERO’s creative partnership with Toyota across its GR portfolio. It follows recent recognition for the agency, including a Bronze at Spikes Asia and a Grand Prix at the World Independent Advertising Awards for the C-HR Diamond collection.
CREDITS:
CLIENT – Toyota Motor Corporation Australia
Vin Naidoo – Chief Marketing Officer
Anthony Nobile – Snr Manager, Brand Communications
Stephanie Naylor – Manager Communications – GR Brand
Suhailah O’Brien – Senior Brand Specialist – GR Brand
Abbey Harrington – Senior Brand Specialist – GR Brand
Alex Verduci – Brand Specialist
AGENCY – HERO
Shane Geffen – Executive Creative Director
Andrew Woodhead – Creative Director
Mitchell Sutton – Senior Art Director
Josh Campbell – Senior Copywriter
Kean Szczur – Senior Art Director
Roz Scrimshaw – Head of Production
Ken Chan – Head of Strategy
Dan Hickey – Head of Studio / Finished Art
Richard Hayes – General Manager
Gideon Nedas – Group Account Director
Annabel Ziegeler – Account Director
Issy Kelly – Senior Account Manager
PRODUCTION – Exit Films
Wilf Sweetland – Managing Partner
Alice Grant – Producer
Sam Walker – Director
Jeremy Rouse – DOP
Lucinda Thomson – Production Designer
Harry Dakanalis – Stunt Co-ordinator
PHOTOGRAPHY – Loveridge Productions
Natalie Loveridge – Producer
Easton Chang – Photographer
Joshua Stunell – Assistant Photographer
Easton Chang – Retouching
CASTING – Nick Hamon Casting
Megan D’Arcy – Casting Director
POST PRODUCTION – The Editors & ALT VFX
Eyvonne Carfora – Executive Producer
Caroline Macleod – Producer
Fergus Rotherham – Colourist
Bernard Garry – Editor
Online Artist – Heather Galvin
VFX Supervisor – Juri Bryan & Bryn Morrow
SOUND DESIGN: Rumble Studios
Liam Annert – Sound Engineer
Bec Ivanov – Producer
MUSIC: – Charmed I’m Sure
Chris Chalmers – Music Supervisor
Amyl & The Sniffers – HERTZ – Original music
MEDIA AGENCY – Spark Foundry
SOCIAL AGENCY – Havas Red
Joanne Ng – Group Account Director
Donna Flatman – Account Director
Paul Bradshaw – Videographer