Indy from 500 Miles Away

How do we prove how fast and reliable Verizon’s internet is? How about a stunt where speed is everything? A stunt with a fast as shit race car. 

Verizon and INDYCAR champs Will Power and Team Penske teamed up at famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The twist? We told their pit crew chiefs to work from home—a test lap never before attempted. 

AICP Finalist, 2 Clio Finalist, One Show Merit Award, Shorty & Webby Honoree.

For the first time in team history, Penske’s Pit Crew Chiefs weren’t at the track for test laps. Instead they were scattered across the country, relying only on Verizon 
Internet to keep their 3 million dollar car from flying off the track. 

Ultimately, the real-time test worked. We were able to run cameras, crews and of course internet between all the different locations to create a high octane film that highlights how reliable Verizon’s internet is. This film then ran on Verizon’s, Penske’s, and Will Power’s social channels, to leverage a combined reach of social followers. Then to drive engagement, our driver, Will Powers hosted an Instagram story that let followers get behind the wheel to make turn-by-turn decisions and get first-hand racing insights. Watch Ride Shotgun with Will

With zero paid media Team Penske and Verizon saw a huge lift across both social channels: 

Social Engagement +121% cross channel
Highest Compliment Rate, Ever +22% on Instagram 
Share Rate +238% Cross channel 

While there was a huge jump in engagement and shares we proved that if a pro-racing team can work from home using Verizon internet, so can you. 

Credits

Role: Sr. Creative Director
Brand/Agency: Verizon / In-house Agency
Partners: Team Penske
Production: Partizan
Director: Floyd Russ
Editor: Cobi Byrne