Nissan: Nissan’s Star Wars-themed virtual reality experience picks up Bronze Mobile Lion award

CANNES, France – Nissan continues to showcase its Rogue model range with a Bronze Lion in the Mobile Category awarded at this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for “Battle Test: A Nissan 360-Degree Virtual Reality Experience.”

The immersive digital experience, simulating the battlefield from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,was made in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd., Industrial Light Magic (ILM), Skywalker Sound and global experience design agency Critical Mass.

The Nissan and Star Wars collaboration gives movie buffs, car lovers and virtual reality fans alike the opportunity to experience cinema-quality digital effects created by ILM, rendered in 360-degree, combined with immersive sound-design and mixing from Skywalker Sound.

“With this simulation experience, we’re putting fans right in the middle of the action,” said Jeremy Tucker, vice president, Marketing Communications Media, Nissan North America, Inc. “One of our many objectives was to engage current and potential customers, and we successfully accomplished that.”

The win reflects the global experience design agency’s dedication to customer-centric experience design, and an understanding of Nissan’s commitment to automotive safety. The “Battle Test” experience demonstrates the advanced safety features of the Nissan Intelligent Safety Shield®.

“Nissan was aimed at connecting audiences with the Nissan Rogue and its impressive array of safety features in an interactive and unforgettable format,” added Chris Gokiert, President, Critical Mass. “We’re thrilled to see ‘Battle Test: A Nissan 360-Degree Virtual Reality Experience’ receive the Bronze Mobile Lion.”

The fully immersive experience was shortlisted for the mobile category, which includes some of the year’s top digital work. A complete list is found here.

“On the road, obstacles appear in 360°. To demonstrate this, a battle was staged that pits you against the greatest threats in the Star Wars universe in a 360-degree simulation straight out of the movies. It throws challenges at you from all sides as if you were actually there,” said Steve Savic, executive creative director, Critical Mass.

The collaboration with Lucasfilm had a positive impact on sales of the Nissan Rogue. Year-over-year sales of Rogue were up 53 percent in December, 46 percent in January, 54 percent in February and 43 percent in March.

About Nissan North America 
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.INFINITIUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and INFINITInews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2016, the company sold 5.63 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.72 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world’s best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia Oceania; Africa, Middle East India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500 and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since 1999. In 2016, Nissan acquired a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors, which became the third member of the Alliance – a grouping with combined annual sales of almost 10 million units a year.

For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California. Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2017 TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. 

About Critical Mass
Critical Mass (www.criticalmass.com) is a global experience design agency with a relentless focus on the customer. Founded in 1996, the agency has grown to 12 full-service offices operating across North America, Europe, Latin America, South America and Asia. Its unwavering belief in delivering brilliant customer experiences produces business building results for clients. Critical Mass is a part of the DAS Group of Companies.

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Contact

Nissan Brand Communications
Jeannie Whited
jeannie.whited@nissan-usa.com

Lucasfilm Publicity
Christopher J. Argyropoulos
chris.argyropoulos@lucasfilm.com

Walt Disney Studios Global Publicity
Global Publicity (LA) Michelle Rasic
michelle.rasic@disney.com
Global Publicity (NY) Derek Del Rossi

Critical Mass PR
Jillian Rosen Victor Parker
criticalmass@finchfactor.com