Ads, Like Spies, Are Not What They Seem in 'Whiskey Cavalier' Spots

02.25.2019

Are you looking to take your relationship to the next level? How about wedding rings that also serve as tranquilizer darts? Or a honeymoon to a location that could spontaneously blow up on you?

All of these notions appear as faux ads that evolve into clever promos in ABC's campaign for new spy-meets-spy series Whiskey Cavalier. The show stars Scott Foley as tough-but-tender FBI agent Will Chase (code name: Whiskey Cavalier) and Lauren Cohan as his new partner, Francesca "Frankie" Trowbridge, who has no interest in hearing his theories about love and life.

The campaigns was conceived and shot by advertising agency Deutsch working with ABC Entertainment Marketing.

"The chemistry and interplay between Scott Foley and Lauren Cohan in Whiskey Cavalier is reminiscent of some blockbuster shows of the past, such as Moonlighting. The show's creator even describes the series as 'Mission: Impossible smashes into Cheers.' We wanted to leverage the comedic, fun side of this series in a fresh, buzzy way," said Rebecca Daugherty, ABC executive vice president, marketing. Whiskey Cavalier comes from writer/executive producer David Hemingson (Don't Trust the B-- in Apt. 23) and executive producer Bill Lawrence (Scrubs, Cougar Town, Spin City) with Warner Bros. Television. Besides Foley (Scandal, The Unit, Felicity) and Cohen (The Walking Dead) The series also stars Ana Ortiz as Susan Sampson, Tyler James Williams as Edgar Standish and Vir Das as Jai Datta.

Besides the above spot, ABC and Deutsch created an entire campaign, including the pieces below:

Romantic Detonations

Dossier

Tampon

Whiskey Cavalier premieres Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 10/9 c after getting a post-Oscars sneak peek.

CREDITS

Network: ABC

Executive Vice President, Marketing: Rebecca Daugherty

Senior Vice President, Marketing Creative: Jill Gershman

Vice President, Marketing Creative: Val McMichael

VP, Production: Bob Schefferine

Executive Creative Director: Charlie Bowyer

Creative Director: Andy Munsey

Agency: Deutsch

Chief Digital Officer, North America: Pete Favat

Executive Producer: Calleen Colburn Producer: Trevor Alexander

Creative Director: Lesley Coleman

Creative Director: Julie Liu

Senior Art Director: Cat Ogeltree

Senior Art Director: David Mugford

Senior Copywriter: Rachel Ma

EVP, Group Account Director: Matt Matzen

Account Director: Eneida Elenes

Production: Steelhead

DP: Johan Palm

Managing Director: Ted Markovic

Executive Producer: Christoph Kauffman

Line Producer: Tony McGarry

Editor: Ian Paxton

Executive Producer: Adam Becht

Sr. Producer: Lauren Roth

Assistant Editor: Ryan Khoury

Associate Director of Post Production: Austin Meyers

Comp Supervisor: Blake Loyd

Nuke Artists: Mike Reigle, Mani Trump, Justin Pascal

CG Supervisor: Patton Tunstall

Director of Motion Graphics: Kennon Fleisher

Lead After Effects Artist: Luis de Leon

Assistant After Effects Artist: Jonathan Minaya Telecine: Company 3

Colorist Sean Coleman

EP Ashley McKim

Producer Matt Moran

Mix: Eleven Sound

Mixers: Jeff Payne (Romantic Detonations &L'Espionnage), Ben Freer (S.P.Y Tampon & Dossier)

EP: Melissa Elston

Producer: Imani Franklin