Plug In America's electric vehicle PSA with Fabio– Click above to watch videoafter the jump
As promised, the latest PSA fromPlug In Americafeatures a suave, reassuring electric vehicle proponent: Fabio. Following in the footsteps of the previous two PSAs,"Cell Phone"and"Ocean Crude,"the ad, called"Hype,"is based on Apple's Mac vs. PC ads. Actress and Plug In America founding board member Alexandra Paul, who came up with the idea for the PSAs, said that, even this long after Fabio's breakthrough on the pop culture scene,"the man's still got it."She also said:
The PSAs are also running on Hulu and on an ABC affiliate in the Washington, D.C. area, but you can enjoy the beefcake– excuse me, the"Face"–after the jump. You can also watch the other two released PSAshereand stay tuned for the rest of the bunch over the next few months.We needed someone who was the epitome of handsome, manly and suave. George Clooney is an EV owner, but was working when we filmed. Fabio happens to own a lot of fast cars and motorcycles and was very impressed with the high performance of the Tesla in which he was driven to the set. And yes, he still has that magnetism.
{Source:Plug In America}
PRESS RELEASE
BRING IN THE FACE! PLUG IN AMERICA'S THIRD PSA STARS FABIO
Seven Short Spots Entertain and Educate About Benefits of Plug-In Electric Vehicles
LOS ANGELES, CA-Nov. 30, 2010--Plug In America today releases"Hype,"the third of its seven educational Public Service Announcements (PSAs), this one starring Fabio. Plug In America's first two PSAs have been snatched up by Hulu, where they're running now, and are hitting the television airwaves during such programs as"EnergyNOW!"a weekly news-magazine shown on a Washington D.C. ABC affiliate.
Why Fabio for PSA number three?
"We needed someone who was the epitome of handsome, manly and suave,"says actress and Plug In America founding board member Alexandra Paul, who spearheaded and produced the spots."George Clooney is an EV owner, but was working when we filmedt. Fabio happens to own a lot of fast cars and motorcycles and was very impressed with the high performance of the Tesla in which he was driven to the set. And yes, he still has that magnetism. I cannot explain it, but the man's still got it."
The seven PSAs, each between 30 and 45 seconds, were written and produced by a professional cast and crew of 60, many of whom have driven EVs for up to nine years. They donated their time to Plug In America, the nonprofit organization leading the nation's plug-in vehicle movement. Another new spot will be released roughly every three weeks through February. Click here to see the first spot,"Cell Phone,"and here to see the second,"Ocean Crude."These and"Hype"are also viewable on Plug In America's website. Their embed codes are below. Click here to view"The Making of Plug In America's PSAs,"a 27-minute video.
The PSA's spoof Apple's"Mac vs. PC"ads, replacing Macs with Electric Vehicles (EVs) and PCs with gas cars. Driving home the superiority of plug-ins, they address topics such as the true cost of gasoline, the endless maintenance of gas cars, the ease of plugging in to charge, oil spills and range anxiety.
"The PSAs are designed to engage viewers through humor, then educate them about the benefits of plug-in vehicles,"said Paul, a long-time environmental activist also known for her work on TV's"Baywatch."
The spots all link to Plug In America's recently updated website (details here), which includes pages tracking global production and delivery of plug-in vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and chargers, state and federal purchasing incentives, common plug-in vehicle myths and congressional support for plug-ins.
Actors featured in the spots, which were shot in Santa Monica, CA earlier this year, include Stephen Zimpel, appearing as"Electric,"and Marvin Campbell, appearing as"Gas."Campbell has driven a Toyota RAV4 EV for years and owns two of them. The PSAs were directed by Eric Swenson, a visual effects supervisor and Tesla owner; written by Swenson and fellow Plug In America executive committee member Jeff U'Ren, an Emmy Award-winning editor and former GM EV1 driver; and edited by U'Ren.
In a matter of days, Plug In America raised thousands of dollars from its members and supporters around the globe to pay the hard costs of production.
"We're at a historic turning point with the imminent delivery of the cleanest-running vehicles ever manufactured,"said Plug In America President Dan Davids."Our most important job now is to educate consumers about their value. Our goal is rapid mass adoption."
Others who volunteered their talents to produce the PSAs include Peter Krajewski, director of photography; Steven Latham, producer; Leslie Wilson, assistant director/line producer; Cambria Hankin, casting director; and actors Colette Divine and J. Karen Thomas, both of whom appeared in"Who Killed the Electric Car?"They have driven a Toyota RAV4 EV for more than five years.
About Plug In America: Plug In America is leading the nation's plug-in vehicle movement. The nonprofit organization works to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment. For more information: http://www.pluginamerica.org.
