Honda taps into millennial mindset with 'Best Yourself' Civic campaign

(August 7, 2013) Honda launched a new television and digital advertising campaign this week in support of the 2013 Civic. Targeting millennials and starring America's Got Talent host and performer Nick Cannon, the "Best Yourself" campaign celebrates diversity and the drive to achieve success through non-traditional paths.

"We believe that things can always be better and this sentiment can be seen in the numerous improvements we made to the 2013 Civic. Honda made the best-selling compact car in the U.S. even better," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of auto operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.



"The emotionally compelling and multi-layered 'Best Yourself' campaign is built on this foundation of continuous improvement by celebrating individual's achievements towards personal greatness. We look forward to seeing how consumers exemplify this through the #BestYourself social community."

The two-minute long form 'Best Yourself' video is currently posted on YouTube while the 60-second commercial will make its national broadcast debut on America's Got Talent on Aug. 11. Both videos showcase individuals working towards their personal goals interspersed with footage of Cannon driving the redesigned 2013 Honda Civic. In the videos, he provides the narration about the will and ambition to improve one's self.

"In the entertainment business, much like the auto industry, there is always pressure to adopt the latest trends," said Nick Cannon. "I've built my career by staying true to myself and my personal beliefs, and it's the same commitment that I saw in Honda and their development of the 2013 Civic that drew me to this project."

The campaign's message is incorporated across digital platforms and initiatives that include a "Best Yourself"' social campaign that encourages audiences to share their hopes and plans for taking their lives to the next level using the hashtag #BestYourself on Honda Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Media partners for the campaign include AOL/Huffington Post, Complex Media Network and Ballislife.com with video distribution through YouTube and Visible Measures. Rich media units will be used to drive users to a dedicated site access.honda.com where audiences can watch the full length version of the "Best Yourself" video as well as other related content.