NEW DISCOVERY GOES PRIMETIME AS SIR BEN AINSLIE BATTLES STORM IN EPIC TV ADVERT

8 February 2017

Olympic hero Sir Ben Ainslie manoeuvres his way through an epic sandstorm in the new Discovery TV advert directed by Jake Scott of Ridley Scott Associates

  • New Land Rover Discovery TV commercial launched featuring Sir Ben Ainslie and his Land Rover BAR sailing team
  • 60‑second spot showcases Discovery’s remarkable Intelligent Seat Fold Technology and seven‑seat layout
  • Advert directed by Jake Scott and produced by Ridley Scott Associates

Olympic hero Sir Ben Ainslie battles a desert sandstorm to reach his Land Rover BAR sailing team as the new Land Rover Discovery makes its primetime TV debut this week in a new advertisement.

The 60‑second advert was directed by Ridley Scott Associates’ Jake Scott and will be aired for the first time during the break of ITV’s coverage of the RBS Six Nations’ game between Ireland and Italy, at 2pm on Saturday 11 February. Later that day, on the same channel, the advert will be shown again during The Voice at 8pm. It celebrates the new Discovery going on sale in the UK with prices from £43,495.

The 60‑second advert directed by Ridley Scott Associates will be aired for the first time on Saturday 11 February

The spot captures Sir Ben as he manoeuvres his way through an epic sandstorm in the new Discovery. Huge clouds of sand swirl around him as he effortlessly handles the vehicle, turning sharply and avoiding trees to finally meet his team‑mates at the storm’s edge. They then head to the marina to hit the water in their specially designed America’s Cup boat, a multi‑hull catamaran designed with support from Land Rover’s engineers.

Director Scott uses the shimmering violins and horn of Johann Strauss II’s Blue Danube waltz to convey the robust, yet nimble, capability of the new Discovery.

The advert also shows the seven‑strong crew demonstrating the vehicle’s Intelligent Seat Fold technology, which allows owners to configure the versatile seating through a dedicated app on their smartphone from anywhere in the world.

The Land Rover BAR sailors are honoured to feature in the new Land Rover Discovery TV campaign. It was the first time the team had been involved in a production like this. It was a lot of fun, and we were really taken outside of our ‘normal’ environment for the shoot, seeing it come together on screen is a real moment for us.

We partnered with Land Rover in our bid to bring the Cup home, because they are a great British brand, and a fantastic engineering and technology business sharing a belief in the importance of design and innovation. The new Discovery showcases remarkable technology while also being a great family car ‑ something I am much more aware of these days ‑ that will even take my whole extended 'sailing' family of seven big guys!

Sir Ben Ainslie
Land Rover BAR Team Principal and Skipper

The TV advert shows the seven‑strong Land Rover BAR crew demonstrating the Discovery's Intelligent Seat Fold technology

It was a great opportunity to work with Land Rover, especially for the launch of the new Discovery, which is a fantastic vehicle inside and out. I loved the idea of capturing the camaraderie between Ben Ainslie and his sailing crew in the midst of an epic sandstorm.

Jake Scott
Director, Ridley Scott Associates

Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR team will compete in Bermuda for the 35th America’s Cup in June 2017, and are top of the leader board heading into the final rounds.

Notes to Editors

About Land Rover

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 170 countries.