Uber's 'Ride Right' Ads Really Pop, Thanks to Awesome Tracks

Great music improves almost any drive. That holds especially true for Uber’s latest road trip, which features three jokey, tuneful commercials created by agency Johannes Leonardo and director Jim Jenkins.

Dubbed “Get Your Ride Right,” the work touts Uber’s portfolio of options, with nods to comfort, budget options and sustainability. Familiar pop tunes power silly scenarios spotlighting UberXL, Uber Comfort, Uber Green and other offerings.

Yes, plenty of campaigns hit the right notes with their soundtracks. But here, the music selections help the work find a higher gear. In our first installment, Matthew Wilder’s bouncy “Break My Stride” from 1983 propels a cautionary tale of parent-teacher conferences, tiny desks and extra legroom:

Next, Puff Daddy’s hip-hop epic “All About the Benjamins” from the go-go Clinton era reminds us where there’s a will, there’s a way:

Finally, family obligations dictate the size of mom’s ride, though she still dreams of “The Sweet Escape,” complete with mid-’00s techno-grooves from Gwen Stefani:

“We hope to remind everyone of the value that the suite of Uber mobility products can add to people’s lives,” says JL group creative director Zoe Kessler.

That might prove a tall order given the company’s penchant for controversy, including recent allegations of “undemocratic” business practices and its polarizing decision to serve ads during rides.

Still, our toes are tapping! We’re humming along! That’s surely a point, however modest, in the ride-share giant’s favor. And all snark aside, the ads should generate plenty of appeal, with Jenkins delivering the righteous funny much as he did for Chevy, DirecTV, HP and Jeep.

The push includes digital billboards, too, so riders won’t grow tired of the scenery passing by outside their UberXL windows:

CREDITS

CLIENT: UBER
Global Head of Mobility Marketing, Masterbrand and Membership: Elizabeth Windram
Global Executive Creative Director: Danielle Hawley
Global Creative Director, Masterbrand & Mobility: Chris Polychronopoulos
Head of Mobility Marketing, US & Canada: Nick Silver
Sr. Marketing Manager: Melanie Boudreau
Sr. Marketing Manager: Faria Jabbar
Head of Production: Carey Head
Sr. Producer: Emily Senecal
Business Affairs Manager: Marie Hernandez

AGENCY: Johannes Leonardo, New York City, USA
Chief Creative Officer: Julia Neumann
Group Creative Director: Zoe Kessler
Creative Director: Jim Robbins
Creative Lead: Marjorie Vardo
Sr. Copywriter: Zoe Myers
Sr. Art Director: Katyana O’Neill
President: Bryan Yasko
Account Director: Trevor Mundt
Account Supervisor: Hanna Mirtle
Chief Strategy Officer: Steve Zaroff
Communications Strategy Director: Annie Yuan
Strategy Director: Haley Derrah
Sr. Communications Planner: Sean Guthrie
Group Executive Producer: Brett Fisher
Senior Producer: Kelly Treadway
Producer: Sharizma Budden
Project Manager: Anthony Bayter
Business Affairs Director: Alesa Blanchard-Nelson
Senior Business Affairs Manager: Susan Spight
Creative: Boris Opacic
Creative: Kevin Fitz
Creative: Matt Sorrell

FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY: OPositive
Director: Jim Jenkins
Executive Producer: Marc Grill
Executive Producer: Ralph Laucella
Head of Production: Devon Clark
Director of Photography: Larry Fong
Production Supervisor: Luke Flegar
Production Coordinator: Monique Djoumessi

EDITORIAL: MackCut
Editor: Pamela Petruski
Producer / MD: Gina Pagano
Assistant Editor: Cooper McLane

FINISH/ VFX/ COLOR GRADE: Company3
Colorist: Mark Gethin
Head of Production: Kevin Breheny
Producer: Shannen Troup

FINISH/ VFX: Kevin VFX
VFX Lead: Gareth Parr
Executive Creative Director/ Partner: Tim Davies
Senior Executive Producer/Partner: Sue Troyan
Producer: Andrew Cowderoy

AUDIO FINISHING: HeardCity
Audio Mixer/Sound Design: Terressa Tate
Audio Mixer/Sound Design: Eric Warzecha
Senior Producer: Liana Rosenberg

LICENSED MUSIC: Found Objects
Co-Founder and ECDs: Jay Wadley + Trevor Gureckis
EP/Music Supervisor: Jennie Armon
Music Supervisors: Katt Matt, Vlad Bar, Brad Nayman