Volkswagen Facebook Flipbook

You open a Facebook photo gallery called Amarok FlipDrive, click the first image, and keep the right arrow button pressed. The photos flip fast enough to feel like a running movie. A flipbook, built out of a Facebook album.

The reference point. A “commercial” powered by a Twitter feed

In April, Mercedes Smart in Argentina created the first of its kind Tweet Commercial using its Twitter stream. Now Volkswagen Amarok in Turkey has created the Facebook alternative.

The idea. An all-terrain truck that can even “drive” on Facebook

The Volkswagen Amarok is positioned as an ultimate all terrain vehicle. It can go everywhere. From the city to sand to water. With some creativity from McCann Erickson Istanbul, it can even go on Facebook.

How it works. 201 images in sequence

201 images that follow each other in sequence are uploaded to the Amarok FlipDrive Facebook photo gallery. Opening the first photo and keeping the right arrow button pressed makes the photos flip by fast and gives the effect of a running movie.

The reality check. Caching changes the experience

The flipbook experience is very jerky the first time, but once all the photos are cached, it plays as seen in the video below.


A few fast answers before you act

What is the Volkswagen Facebook Flipbook?
A Facebook photo gallery that behaves like a flipbook animation when you hold the right arrow key to move quickly through sequential images.

How many images are used?
201 images, uploaded in sequence.

What do you actually do as a user?
Open the first photo in the album and keep the right arrow button pressed to “play” the sequence.

Why does it feel jerky at first?
Because the images are not yet cached. Once cached, playback becomes smoother.

What is the broader pattern?
Using native platform mechanics. Streams, galleries, navigation keys. As the “media” layer for a social commercial.

Test drive a Volkswagen inside a print ad

Volkswagen in Norway is offering what it claims is the world’s first test drive inside a print ad. The ad, placed in several Norwegian magazines, presents a long stretch of road (there are summer and winter versions) and urges readers to download an app (developed by Mobiento) that lets you “drive” a car on the road by hovering your iPhone over it.

You can test three different features of the vehicle—lane assist, adaptive lights and cruise control. Sure, it’s not quite as immersive as a real test drive, but it’s a nice idea executed well. All that’s missing is a mini Darth Vader to pop up and deliver the tagline. 🙂