Fergie and will.i.am star in first Instant Def digisode

By Patrick Luce Jun 21, 2006, 14:08 GMT

InstantDef.com is now live and features the first of five digisodes starring musical artists will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap as hip-hop group Instant Def. The web-based program is an effort by Snickers to appeal to the influential teen market via a series of digital films complete with futuristic story lines, comic-book style graphics and an all-star cast. 

In the digi-sodes, will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap star as Snickers factory workers by day and ‘defenders of old school hip hop’ by night. The foursome discovers superpowers when they come in direct contact with Snickers after an incident in the plant. The idea was created by advertising agency BBDO New York in collaboration with Form TV’s Jesse Dylan and will.i.am, who also created the theme song and mixed music for all of the “sodes.” 

“You know, this is fresh,” will.i.am said of working with Snickers in the creative process. “You mean I can make music, incorporate it into a film that’s on the internet and wherever else we can get it played? Oh, that’s tomorrow…all the way.”

The first of five digisodes launched on June 5. Four consecutive webisodes will launch at three-week intervals, with the final webisode available in September. A teaser page at InstantDef.com went live May 18, 2006 with a 30-second trailer and e-mail update registration.

“I was very attracted to this project because Snickers gave me creative freedom,” Fergie said.  “I had always dreamed of being a comic book character. I’ve always had this thought in my head of what I wanted to do with it. And so then they came to me with this idea and I said I know what I want to do.”

“We knew we had to go online to reach teens because that’s where they spend most of their time,” said Vic Walia, Snickers senior marketing manager.  “But we also know that teens are very savvy consumers so we made a conscious decision to tone down our branding in an effort to build credibility with the online community. We wanted to communicate the Snickers’ brand message in an authentic, credible and contagious way.  The Instant Def digi-sodes allow us to do that.”

“The choice of will.i.am, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap to be our Instant Def heroes was easy,” Walia said. “They share key characteristics not only with today’s young influencers, but also the Snickers brand. They are setting trends and breaking away from the clutter in the industry to really stand out amongst their peers.”

 Snickers plans a limited flight of print media buys in support of Instant Def. In-theater advertising began Memorial Day weekend, showcasing the trailer in top 10 markets. The In-Store Sports Network, FootLocker, FootAction and Champs stores nationwide will showcase the trailer during the months of June and July.