Solve Adrenaline-Fueled Campaign Launches Highly Anticipated FTR 1200

On October 1, at the pre-eminent motorcycle industry show Intermot Expo in Cologne, Germany, Indian Motorcycle officially unveiled the FTR 1200. A genre-busting bike representing the iconic brand’s biggest product news in decades, the model is being lauded as Indian’s next landmark bike to attract a new generation of riders.

Born of Indian Motorcycle’s recent back-to-back championships in American Flat Track Racing, the bike incorporates the aggressive styling of Indian’s FTR750 race bike and serves it up in a jaw-dropping, street-legal version. The launch campaign from Solve, “Born on the dirt. Built for the street.,” rolls out across social media, website and printed materials. The unveiling film, entitled “Garage,” features the song “I Only Want You” from indie-rock supergroup Eagles of Death Metal.

“The FTR 1200 represents a new era in Indian Motorcycle’s storied history. We took great care to signal a new day at every turn, from how we shot the riding footage, to the track, to the cast,” said Sean Smith, Solve Executive Creative Director/Partner.

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Copywriter And Hip Hop Artist Shares Love Of Home State In Music Video

Solve copywriter Alex Frecon recently released a music video tribute to his love of being from Minnesota. The video has already garnered well over 1 million views on YouTube and Facebook, gaining popularity as an anthem for all those proud to hail from the northern state. Often overlooked by those who call it a “fly-over” state, Frecon celebrates Minnesota’s virtues. He sings about the state’s lakes, beautiful summers, and sets the record straight regarding “Duck, Duck, Grey Duck” as the proper name for the game. “I love telling stories. It’s such a fun challenge to try and put something together that tells a story that people can enjoy and share,” said Frecon.

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Solve “Garage” Film Uses Brand’s Flat Track Racing Expertise To Promote Upcoming Model

This week, Solve released a social media film teasing Indian Motorcycle’s FTR 1200, which officially launches on October 1, 2018.

Since dominating American flat track racing the past two seasons, Indian Motorcycle fans have been begging the company to produce a street-legal version of the championship bike. Earlier this year, Indian Motorcycle announced plans to make the FTR 1200, which has been one of the most anticipated product entries in the brand’s storied history. The film, titled “Garage,” is designed to further fuel rider interest two weeks before the public launch.

Featuring 5-time American Flat Track champion Jared Mees, the film opens on him and his race bike going full bore around a dirt race track. As he rounds the final turn, a single-car garage unexpectedly appears in the middle of the track. Mees deftly eludes danger with a high-speed slide into the garage as the door slams immediately behind him, symbolizing that the championship-winning race bike will soon spawn a street legal version. The film was directed by LA-based Dean Bradshaw of Bradshaw Pictures.

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Irreverent Campaign Touts Product’s All-Natural Ingredients

Solve is breaking a campaign today for Real’Za, a minimally processed, all-natural frozen pizza from Bernatello’s Foods. Currently distributed throughout the upper Midwest, the brand is looking to deepen its loyalty and expand its geographic footprint. The “Unbelievably Natural” campaign represents Solve’s first work since becoming AOR for Real’Za after a competitive review earlier this year.

The advertising showcases people performing “unnatural activities” to highlight and reinforce Real’Za’s all-natural ingredients. One spot features a boy performing a sword-swallowing trick at a family gathering; another shows a man interrupting his wife’s book club while practicing his hobby horse skills in their living room. Solve worked with LA-based comedy director Raúl B. Fernández to produce the commercials. Featured in Adweek, the campaign includes television, radio and digital/social content.

“Real’Za is unlike any frozen pizza on the market, so it needed an idea just as fresh and disruptive,” said Sean Smith, Solve Executive Creative Director and Partner. “The executions make you laugh and nudge you to think twice about the pizza you’ve bought before,” Smith added.

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Miriam Gavin joins Solve as media analyst. A recent graduate of St. Olaf College, Gavin brings hands-on experience in consumer research and digital marketing having served as Sports Information Assistant at St. Olaf.

Passionate about travel and culture, Gavin has lived in Saudi Arabia and UAE, and has studied in France and South Africa. With a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology, she has a curiosity that will serve her well in her new role. “Miriam has already built an impressive list of achievements. She’s a critical thinker and eager to help make a difference for our clients. We’re pleased to add her to our team,” says Solve President Corey Johnson.

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Shannon Murphy joins Solve as art director coming from independent Archer Malmo in Austin, Texas where she worked on campaigns for Caterpillar and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Before that, Murphy worked at BBDO MPLS developing campaigns for various Hormel Foods brands, 3M and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Murphy’s advertising career began as a social media strategist and content creator. The University of Minnesota grad was a double major in Art and Advertising and also studied design at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). “Shannon’s work strikes a balance between beautiful design, leading-edge innovation, and a bold visual energy. She’s constantly pushing for the freshest solutions to connect people with brands. We love her spirit and are excited about what she brings to our clients,” says Solve Executive Creative Director and Partner, Sean Smith.

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Campaign Brief, Australasia’s most influential creative advertising trade magazine, invited Sean Smith, Solve Executive Creative Director, Partner, to serve as a Bestads guest judge. Bestads, part of Campaign Brief, features top creative directors from around the world to pick the very best advertising across every medium. Provided work from leading creative agencies in London, Sydney, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and beyond, Smith was asked to select his personal “favourite and runner up” from each category. Bestads reviews are read across Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia in Campaign Brief and related publications. Launched in 1987, Campaign Brief is compulsory reading for all those interested in advertising creativity.

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Solve’s “Set the Standard” Print Campaign Featured In Communication Arts Exhibit

Communication Arts, the international authority regarding the best in visual communications from around the world, has recognized the new Indian Motorcycle print campaign from Solve. “Set The Standard,” the agency’s first work for Indian Motorcycle, is featured in today’s Exhibit Online section of the Communication Arts website. Agency partner and executive creative director, Sean Smith explains the development of the campaign saying, “We wanted to lean into Indian’s incredible heritage, but in a way that would feel modern and fresh.”

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“Set the Standard” Highlights Commitment to Craftsmanship, Performance & Design

In its first work for Indian Motorcycle, Solve touts the brand’s relentless belief in doing things the right way. The campaign’s “Set the Standard” tagline reflects the uncompromising, never-settle philosophy shared by the brand and its passionate riders.

Breaking this week, just as summer riding season ramps up, the integrated national campaign includes television, print and digital components. The television spot is the commercial directorial debut of A-list actor and motorcycle enthusiast Ewan McGregor of RSA Films in Los Angeles. The effort features a range of the brand’s most sought after models and marks Indian’s most aggressive brand campaign to date. Placements can be seen in all major enthusiast publications along with airings on major cable outlets such as ESPN and Discovery.

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BeerAdvocate Ratings List New Brew At Top Of Ranking

Just two months after its release, Founders Brewing Company’s Solid Gold has already become the top-rated American Adjunct lager on BeerAdvocate. Founded in 1996, BeerAdvocate is widely considered the go-to website for news, reviews and guidance about beer. In its ranking, Solid Gold leads the top lager ratings ahead of lagers from breweries including Narragansett, 3 Floyds and Flying Dog. Solve provided creative and media support for the March rollout of Solid Gold.

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