# Honda "Cog"

> Honda's 120-second Accord ad spread from paid TV into email, forums and free news airtime.

- Owner: Honda UK
- Kind: Campaign
- Sector: Auto & mobility
- Seed date: 2003-04-06
- Milestone date: 2003-05-30
- Date basis: Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.
- Spread Score: 48 (Notable, provisional), v1.3
- Mechanics: Real-world spectacle, Platform jump, Press loop, Controversy, Response chain

## Summary

Honda launched Cog on paid British TV. Online sharing brought a free CNN airing, while a copying dispute drew press. Parodies, awards and a televised household remake extended its life. The peak anchor is a broadcast milestone.

## Timeline

- 2003-04-06 — Honda UK / Wieden+Kennedy London (TV) — Honda's chain-reaction Accord ad debuted during ITV's Brazilian Grand Prix coverage.
- 2003-05-28 — Peter Fischli and David Weiss (Press) — Fischli and Weiss alleged copying of The Way Things Go; Honda's solicitor confirmed receiving their letter.
- 2003-05-30 — Milestone: CNN / Aaron Brown (TV) — CNN aired the downloaded ad for free after online sharing; this marked an earned-broadcast milestone.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/honda-cog

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Honda "Cog".” Case HIS-01675. Spread Score v1.3: 48/100. Updated 2026-10-24. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01675