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Actors Paul Giamatti (Sideways) and Kieran Culkin (Fargo) star in a three-part ad campaign for VW’s Cross Sport SUV. Giamatti plays a frustrated accountant reining in a spendthrift client played by Culkin. He is assuaged, when his client gets a VW—until he learns it’s transportation to a Las Vegas casino.
The ad, therefore, presents the Cross Sport as a stylish, sensible and affordable alternative to conspicuous consumption. Johanne Leonardo is the creative agency. The ad debuted on ABC’s The Bachelor. Two more episodes follow.
In a sense, the ad pays homage to vintage Beetle ads, which extolled the virtues of living large in an inexpensive small car. A VW as a corrective commodity consumption resonated with many who were concerned about a postwar America’s wasteful affluent society.
The Cross Sport’s starting MSRP is $31,565. A fully loaded one is $50,815.