Valvoline Instant Oil Change
was trusty but dusty,
and I say that with love.

The category was, oddly enough, drowning in messaging that made oil changes a chore, a dreaded destination. We flipped that on its head, with an unofficial “Drive away happy” strategy. We positioned their quick, expert, super convenient oil changes as the beginning of great things like road trips or away game drives, which allowed us to have fun, and allowed VIOC to finally be fun on socials.

Let the summer
road trips begin

We got the client to let us test out our “Drive away happy” angle with a summer series offering inspiration for road trips all across the country. We told drivers where to go (with an oil change, obviously), and threw some lucky winners a free VIOV visit and some cash to blow on the road. Super high engagement, a big positive response.

College Mascots Do Not Get The Respect They Deserve

That was not the problem we were asked to solve, but that’s certainly what we learned. Valvoline Instant Oil Change had teamed up with OSU and UT, and needed some regional spots for each. Getting the mascots involved took a lot of hoop-jumping, but the brand and the schools loved our angle, that the techs at VIOC and the mascots shared a level of dedication that just had to be celebrated.

To give you an idea of how above and beyond these costumed heroes go, one of them spent their breaks DOING NON-STOP PUSHUPS. The other did magic tricks for the crew in between takes.

We told some fun little stories, and my in-laws in Columbus still text me when Brutus’ spot comes on during games.