AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
- FIAT brand reaches new heights with "Free
Like a Bird" video filmed by a white-tailed eagle
- Video includes music "Free Like A Bird" feat. Wyclef Jean
- "No Blue Pill Needed," celebrating the return
of the Fiat 124 Spider, is follow-up to FIAT brand's award-winning "Blue Pill" video
- Two videos to run online across FIAT brand's digital and social channels, including FIATUSA.com, YouTube, Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram
- The FIAT brand worked closely with FREEDOM,
a conservation movement that supports and protects threatened birds of prey
- 2017 Fiat 124 Spider returns nearly 50 years after original introduction; revival of roadster continues expansion of
FIAT brand in North America
- Fiat 124 Spider Lineup includes: Classica, $24,995; Lusso, $27,495; and Abarth, $28,195 (MSRP)
The FIAT brand marks the return of the all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider with the debut of two new videos, "Free Like a
Bird" and "No Blue Pill Needed." The videos will live on the brand's YouTube, Twitter and Facebook channels, with
additional content across its digital and social channels, including Instagram.
"Our creative mindset is to always innovate. 'Free Like a Bird' is the first commercial ever filmed by an eagle and this
distinctive approach demanded music that was equally compelling to serve as the backdrop for the image, and Wyclef Jean
enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity, creating a track that is likely to be another chart topper," said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA – Global. " 'No Blue Pill Needed' leverages the strength of the
original award-wining 'Blue Pill,' which has over 30 million views on YouTube. Allowing our followers to act as a sound board for
our campaigns has proven successful for the brand in the past. Posting longer-form versions of both videos – which first appeared
during the reveal of the Fiat 124 Spider at the Geneva auto show and L.A. auto show,
respectively – across the FIAT brand's digital and social channels gives us the opportunity to see the fans' reactions to both
and inspire our decision when it comes time to select the official television campaign."
Free Like A Bird | 2017
FIAT 124 Spider | Feat. Wyclef Jean: In an automotive first, the FIAT brand reaches new heights with "Free Like a Bird,"
which was filmed by an eagle in-flight through the mountains of Palinuro, Italy. The
1:22-minute video, with song "Free Like a Bird" feat. Wyclef Jean, lives on the FIAT brand's YouTube channel, in addition to
content across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (#FreeLikeABird). The spot begins with a bird's-eye view of a
couple traveling through the Italian mountains in an all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider. With a subtle nod to the car model's
heritage, a classic 1967 roadster passes by the all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, before revealing the bird's-eye footage is being
filmed by an eagle.
Additional footage of "Free Like a Bird" can be seen on the FIAT brand's YouTube channel:
"No Blue Pill Needed": After
finding his bottle of blue pills empty, an elderly gentleman (Nini Salerno, with Adele Pandolfi reprising their roles from "Blue Pill,") spies the all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider outside his
window and uses it to race away to get more. Along the drive, set to the music "Papa Loves Mambo," he discovers that his pills
are no longer needed. He returns home to his wife and proudly announces that "we're back" – a nod to the Fiat 124 Spider's return
to America. Supplementary social content will be posted across the Fiat social channels with the hashtag #NoBluePillNeeded.
About "Free Like a Bird"
The FIAT brand proudly worked closely with FREEDOM, a conservation movement that supports and protects threatened birds of prey, to help create the first
commercial co-directed by eagles. Three white-tailed eagles – Roi, Victor and Fletcher – participated in the two-day
production. A tiny Sony Action Cam camera, weighing less than 2.8 ounces (80 grams), was placed onto each eagle. The
eagles are residents of FREEDOM, whose mission
is to protect and reintroduce the endangered birds into their natural habitat and promote the awareness of endangered
birds. The eagles featured in the video are currently dependent on falconer Jacques Olivier
Travers, who is working to reintroduce them into their natural habitat.
Falconer Jacques Olivier
Travers traveled with the white-tailed eagles (not an endangered species), which were trained over a two-week period.
The eagles were treated with the utmost care and their safety was a priority at all times. In addition to Travers and three
handlers on set, a representative from the Humane Society International was in close proximity to the birds at all times. During the two-day
production, the eagles slept overnight in the outdoor garden at Hotel Americana in Palinuro, Italy.
Travers works to introduce endangered birds into a natural habitat and promote the awareness on the plight of the endangered
birds of prey. Travers and the white-tailed eagles reside in France, 30 minutes from
Geneva, Switzerland. The FREEDOM Conservation has trained eagles for video productions all over
the world, from the French Alps to Dubai. More footage from the FREEDOM Conservation can be
found here.
The spot was created by FIAT brand in partnership with FCB Chicago.
About "No Blue Pill Needed"
"No Blue Pill Needed" is a follow-up to the FIAT brand's award-winning "Blue Pill" spot featured during the 2015 Super Bowl
telecast. The 60-second spot follows the epic journey of "The FIAT 500X Blue Pill" as it slips through the fingers of an amorous Italian, skipping across rooftops,
down a drain pipe, bouncing off villa walls, pinging across café tables and eventually dropping into the open fuel tank of a Fiat
500. Given "The FIAT 500X Blue Pill," the vehicle
becomes a "bigger, more powerful and ready for action" 2016 Fiat 500X crossover.
"No Blue Pill Needed" was created by FIAT brand in partnership with Doner.
About the Fiat 124 Spider
The 2017 Fiat 124 Spider revives the storied nameplate, bringing its classic Italian styling and performance to a new generation
of vehicles and buyers. Paying homage to the original 124 Spider nearly 50 years after its introduction, the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider
delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience with driving excitement, technology and safety combined with iconic Italian
design.
Fiat 124 Spider Classica
The Classica model features a dual-tip exhaust, black roll bar finish and body-color header, side sills and door handles. The
vehicle also comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, Nero (black) premium cloth seats, halogen headlamps and LED tail lamps.
Inside, soft-touch materials on the instrument panel are highlighted with light silver accents. Not visible are eight points to
reduce NVH, including insulation in the instrument panel, center tunnel, convertible top and rear trunk, to name a few.
The Classica is available in six colors: Rosso Passione (red clear coat), Bianco Gelato (white clear coat), Nero Cinema (jet black metallic), Grigio Argento (gray metallic), Grigio
Moda (dark gray metallic) and Bronzo Magnetico (bronze metallic).
The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Classica with a six-speed manual transmission has a U.S. MSRP of $24,995, plus $995 destination. The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Classica with a
six-speed automatic transmission is $26,345, plus $995
destination.
Fiat 124 Spider Lusso
The Lusso ("Luxury") model builds on the Classica, with standard 17-inch alloy wheels, silver-painted A-pillar header and roll
bar cover and dual-tip chrome exhaust. The interior features heated premium leather seats in Nero (black) or Saddle and a
leatherette-wrapped cluster brow. The lower instrument panel also is wrapped in leatherette, with Piano Black accents
throughout.
The Lusso model is available in seven colors: Rosso Passione (red clear coat), Bianco Gelato (white clear coat), Nero Cinema (jet black metallic), Grigio Argento (gray metallic), Grigio
Moda (dark gray metallic), Bronzo Magnetico (bronze metallic) and Bianca Perla (crystal white
pearl tri-coat).
The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso with a six-speed manual transmission has a U.S. MSRP of $27,495, plus $995 destination. The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso with a
six-speed automatic transmission has a U.S. MSRP of $28,845, plus $995 destination.
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
The all-new Fiat 124 Spider Abarth offers a sportier, more responsive driving experience for performance enthusiasts at 165
horsepower. Features include a front and rear Bilstein sport suspension, mechanical limited-slip differential, front strut tower
bar, Sport Mode selector and sport-tuned chrome quad-tip exhaust with the world-renowned Abarth sound. Its aggressive appearance
comes complete with unique front and rear fascia, 17-inch Gun Metal aluminum wheels, Gun Metal exterior accents and an available
hand-painted hood stripe, offering a one-of-a-kind appearance. Other available features include a Brembo braking system and
Recaro seats for added sportiness.
The Abarth model is available in five colors: Bianco Gelato (white clear coat), Rosso Passione (red clear coat), Nero Cinema (jet black metallic), Grigio Argento (gray metallic) and tri-coat
Bianco Perla (crystal white pearl).
The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth with a six-speed manual transmission has a U.S. MSRP of $28,195, plus $995 destination. The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Abarth with a
six-speed automatic transmission has a U.S. MSRP of $29,545, plus $995 destination.
Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione Lusso
To celebrate the return of the classic nameplate, the first 124 vehicles will be offered as a limited-edition Prima Edizione
Lusso. Each will be individually numbered with a commemorative badge and available in exclusive Azzurro Italia (Blue) exterior
paint with premium leather seats in Saddle. Consumers who purchase a Prima Edizione also will receive limited-edition items,
including a matching blue leather bag, journal with pen, and a poster showcasing original design illustration with vehicle
dimensions.
The all-new 2017 Fiat 124 Spider Prima Edizione Lusso has a U.S. MSRP of $35,000, plus
$995 destination.
About FIAT Brand
The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. That philosophy is embodied by the iconic Fiat 500 or
Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the 500 is sold in more than 100
countries and is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function, technology and a pride of ownership that is
genuine.
In North America, the Fiat 500 was introduced in March 2011 and
was soon followed by the Fiat 500c (Cabrio), the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, the fully electric Fiat
500e, the five-passenger Fiat 500L and the all-wheel-drive 500X crossover. The FIAT brand continues to expand with the
introduction of the Fiat 124 Spider, a revival of the iconic roadster that combines Italian style, performance and engaging
driving dynamics. The all-new Fiat 124 Spider will arrive at FIAT studios in summer 2016.
Follow Fiat brand and FCA US news and video on:
FCA Content On Demand (COD): www.fcacod.com
Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com
Company website: www.fcanorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com
FCA360: www.fca360.com
FIAT brand: www.fiatusa.com
FIAT blog: blog.fiatusa.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fiatusa
or www.facebook.com/ChryslerGroup
Flickr: www.flickr.com/ciaofiat or www.flickr.com/chryslergroup
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/fiatusa or
www.pinterest.com/FCAcorporate
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fiatusa or
www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA
Streetfire: www.streetfire.net/uploaded/chryslervideo.htm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fiatusa or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA
YouTube: www.youtube.com/fiatusa or www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
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SOURCE FCA US LLC