Every Video from Dos Equis' The Most Interesting Man In the World Ad Campaign [commercials, video]
It takes serious balls to claim you're the most interesting man in the world, but the current Dos Equis spokes-character is trying his darndest. Played by Jonathan Goldsmith and narrated by Frontline's Will Lyman, The Most Interesting Man in the World is an ad campaign featuring a suave 50-60 year-old man who, among other things, bench presses women in short skirts and frees grizzly bears from traps while wearing a suit.
A cross between Ernest Hemingway, Bill Murray, Burt Reynolds, Royal Tenenbaum, and Don Draper, the Most Interesting Man in the World harkens back to a mid-century concept of what a man's man should be. In love with women and booze, but classier than most, he travels the world seeking experiences. ("His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man's entire body.")
The campaign, by marketing firm Euro RSCG, creates a remarkably elaborate mythology. A visit to the campaign website reveals all kinds of extra goodies, such as The Interesting Academy, where you can learn to bluff and/or circumnavigate the globe and some sort of live, touring show. There's also a feature called Behind Interesting, which are short, musical videos about people who wish they were as interesting as the Most Interesting Man in the World. And, as any good internet celebrity should, he has a Twitter-impersonator.
Why is The Most Interesting Man In the World bench-pressing nurses? Because he can.
The commercials fall into two categories: the first is a set of montages of stock footage cut together with a younger Jonathan Goldsmith-lookalike going on adventures. These are very Wes Anderson-esque; the film is yellowed and grainy, and every detail is eclectically perfect, from speed-boating with beauty queens by moonlight to splash-landing into the ocean from outerspace to arm-wrestling communists. The second set features the Most Interesting Man in the World in a bar, surrounded by gorgeous women, handing out little bits of advice like it's his job. (It is.)
The most interesting thing about the commercials is that MIMITW never really commits to promoting Dos Equis — the closest he comes is with the tag line, "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis." Sometimes, when he damn well feels like it, he will drink the beer he's selling. Dos Equis is obviously promoting an image here more than the product itself, but how helpful is it if the image doesn't necessarily use the product? Whatever, the ads are totally awesome. But we'd bet money that he's a scotch man.
The Commercials
What is known about the Most Interesting Man in the World?
"The police often question him just because they find him interesting. His beard alone has experienced more than a lesser man's entire body. His blood smells like cologne. He is the most interesting man in the world."
"He's been known to cure narcolepsy just by walking into a room. His organ donation card also lists his beard. He's a lover, not a fighter, but he's also a fighter, so don't get any ideas."
"His reputation is expanding faster than the universe. He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels. He lives vicariously through himself."
"His charm is so contagious, vaccines have been created for it. Years ago, he built a city out of blocks. Today, over six hundred thousand people live and work there. He is the only man to ever ace a Rorschach test. Every time he goes for a swim, dolphins appear. Alien abductors have asked him to probe them. If he were to give you directions, you'd never get lost, and you'd arrive at least 5 minutes early. His legend precedes him, the way lightning precedes thunder."
"His personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards. Even his enemies list him as their emergency contact number. He never says something tastes like chicken. Not even chicken."
Bon Mots from the Most Interesting Man in the World
MIMITW on packages: "Fellas. Leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pocket, you better use 'em to call a tailor."
MIMITW on life: "It's never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
MIMITW on pick-up lines: "There's a time and place for them. The time is never. You can figure out the place on your own."
MIMITW on the two-party system: "The after party is the one you want to attend."
MIMITW on careers: "Find out what it is in life that you don't do well, and then don't do that thing."
MIMITW on roller blades: "No."
MIMITW on mixed nuts: "See those nuts? They are there to make us thirsty. While I don't like being coerced, in this case I shall make an exception."
Update: 6/19/09:
"People hang on his every word, even the prepositions. He could disarm you with his looks... or his hands. Either way. He can speak French... in Russian."
Update: 07/05/09
MIMITW on self defense: "The right look should suffice."
Update: 03/18/10
Ice Fishing
Lady Luck
Snow Monkeys
Stay thirsty, our friends.
—Paula Forbes
12 Comments
Comment Feed