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Library/Campaign/Honda "Cog"
Grade B15 sourcesHIS-01675

Honda "Cog"

Campaign · 2003 · Notable

48Editable slideCertificate

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

Clip · HondaVideo on YouTube
Honda's official frame from the original Cog chain reaction.
Honda UK
Honda "Cog"
Wikipedia (non-free, fair use)
The Fascinating Story Behind One Of Honda’s Greatest TV Ads - Automacha
Automacha

Spread Score

How it works
ReachNo data yetContagion35Breadth60VelocityNo data yetLongevityNo data yet48

Numbers

Seed to milestone
8 weeks
Apr 6 ’03 to May 30 ’03
Platforms
4
Started on TV
Origin
Mixed
Auto & mobility

Mechanics

  • Real-world spectaclePrimary
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop
  • Controversy
  • Response chain

How it spread

Trace the origin

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.

Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.

Jul ’02Jun ’03NovMar ’05Aug ’07Apr ’09Aug ’11Apr ’14Jun ’17Jul ’20Oct ’22Jul ’24TVPressOpen webYouTube
TVPressOpen webYouTube

9 more events on this chart

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Timeline (12)

  1. April 2003

    Honda UK / Wieden+Kennedy London seed · Apr 6 ’03

    Honda's chain-reaction Accord ad debuted during ITV's Brazilian Grand Prix coverage.[1][2]

    Open the first post ↗

  2. May 2003

    Peter Fischli and David Weiss backlash · May 28 ’03

    Fischli and Weiss alleged copying of The Way Things Go; Honda's solicitor confirmed receiving their letter.[3]

  3. CNN / Aaron Brown milestone · May 30 ’03

    CNN aired the downloaded ad for free after online sharing; this marked an earned-broadcast milestone.[4]

  1. owner response · Jul 6 ’03

  2. afterlife · Aug 2 ’03

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Why it worked

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Origin
Mixed
Sector
Auto & mobility
Region
GB
Reported figure
—
Evidence
Grade B

Spread the same way

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