Volvo Construction Equipment wins Cannes film award

Not only does Volvo Construction Equipment’s new history film tell the gripping tale of more than 175 years of construction innovation, it also features a Hollywood star – and it has won a Cannes film award.

Volvo Construction Equipment has thrown out the rule book in the making of its history film, The Master Builder. It features no dusty historians, no sepia photographs, no wooden voiceovers, and it is definitely not boring. Instead Volvo has gone for a fast-paced, exciting and innovative approach, using a Hollywood star in the lead role.

When it came to making a short film that would appeal to customers, telling the company’s story from 1832 to the present – and beyond – in a fun and dynamic way, Volvo’s communications department knew they already had the perfect stage, set and cast. Shot in just five days in and around the company’s spiritual heartland of Eskilstuna, Gothenburg and Braås, the film features a storyteller striding through the company’s history. It uses existing Volvo facilities, machines and employees, setting the scene for a Swedish blockbuster. The chosen storyteller was 30-year-old British actor Philip Barantini, a man who’s auditioned in front of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg and starred in the blockbuster 2003 outlaw film Ned Kelly.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s new history film has been awarded a ‘Dolphin’ trophy in the 2011 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards – an international festival exclusively for corporate films and TV documentaries, based in the historic film city of Cannes, France.

The company’s new film, The Master Builder, competed against 410 entries from 27 countries worldwide and impressed a panel of media experts to win in the Corporate Films category. The Master Builder tells the story of 175 years of Volvo construction innovation in a fresh and inventive way, featuring Hollywood actor Philip Barantini. The video was produced with the help of creative agency Poetry in Motion and freelance director Timo Pincket.

“We are extremely proud to win this award,” says Klas Magnusson, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications at Volvo Construction Equipment. “I would like to thank everyone involved in helping to create this dynamic, new way of presenting the 175 years of our company. To make the film required real teamwork using Volvo facilities, machines and employees – representative of the hard work and cooperation that goes on every day in the company. It is great news that this teamwork is being celebrated further with such a prestigious award.”

Bill Law, Vice President Corporate Communications for Volvo CE North America, who coordinated production of the film, says: “We wanted to highlight Volvo’s long history, global reach, and commitment to the future in an interesting and innovative way that will stand out in today’s social media environment.”

Volvo Construction Equipment will be presented with its ‘Dolphin’ trophy at a ceremony on October 13th at Palm Beach Cannes. The company may receive further recognition according to the color of its award – ranging from Gold, Silver, Black or the ultimate Grand Prix – which will be unveiled on the night.

The Master Builder is currently available on Volvo CE’s global YouTube site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eidcQ1BPEA