BMW 540i 90's Commercial "Canals of New York"

This is an award winning ad for BMW of North America from 1996. Credits are below.

**One More Music Company has a better quality version in their archive of work http://www.onemoremusiccompany.com **

Incidentally, the owner of the building at 9 West 57th Street in New York City sued BMW and Fallon McElligott (the ad agency) for infringing on the trademarked metal sculpture of the number "9" outside their building with the ad's use of a number "5" sculpture.

Title: "Canals of New York"
Client: BMW of North America
Product: 540i
Ad Agency: Fallon McElligott (now just Fallon)
Director: Daniel Barber
Production Company: Striper Films
Producer: Hope Covington
Art Director: Dean Hanson
Writer: Mike Lescarbeau
Group Creative Heads: Bruce Bildsten, Mark Johnson
Creative Director: Bill Westbrook
Editorial Company: Poppy Films, London
Editor: Duncan Shepherd
Flame Special Effects: Smoke and Mirrors, London
Flame Artists: Sean Broughton, Tom Sparks
Music: Joe & Co., London
Stunt Driver: David Kent Ottenberg

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• bmw
• 540i
• 90's
• 90s
• commercial
• ad
• advert
• canals
• new
• york
• fallon
• mcelligott
• 96
• 1996
• olympics
• boats
• venice

[emonpla]

Muchas gracias tiradorfranco2 ... espero que tu castellano no se limite al nombre. Tendrias la otra version con la misma mujer y su hijo detras... recuerdo que el coche esquiva un obstaculo en el ultimo momento. Gracias de nuevo, espectacular.

[tiradorfranco2]

@emonpla no recuerdo ese otro, aunque me suena la descripcion.

[MacCoach]

Wow! I've also been looking & looking for this ad all over the 'net for years. I am the Marine Coordinator that wrangled the yachts used for all the Miami shoots. A buddy of mine did all the South Florida Land Shot locations. The Producer promised us copies, but that never materialized. Oh Well... Isn't the internet AMAZING??? Thank You YouTube & thank you so much 'tiradorfranco2'!!!

[tiradorfranco2]

Thanks for commenting. If you could share any info or anecdotes, it would be very much appreciated!

[Bimmersnob]

This is the best BMW commercial that I can remember ever seeing. I remember when these cars came out and this commercial aired during the Olympics, I was only 12. This is still the car I really want sitting next to my 3-series in the garage. Good information about the commercial, thanks for posting!

[supchacha]

Wow I remember this commercial when I was in the 3rd grade. I love it. BMW SHOULD DO A REMAKE! (SAME CONCEPT, SAME SCORE, DIFFERENT CAR)

[girlyphotowiz]

the score is beautiful!

[5cylcoupe]

shoulda got the sport package

[vids49]

So does anyone know if the music in this ad is from an artist and from a "standalone" song or is this just a small piece for the ad specifically, I too like many had been looking for this ad for a few years now hoping to come across it. The music is what stuck with me mostly and its part of the many sounds/sights that remind me of growing up in the 90's. I'd really like to know about the music if anyone knows.

[jasonheng85]

this ad doesnt make any sense

[GUCCIJIM]

Wow! Thanks for posting this awesome BMW Commercial. I was lucky enough to capture it on VHS Tape back in 96. I remember playing it over and over and over again just for the incredible music score and imagery! Brilliant ad!

[BMW770XLI]

Looks like a lot of people have been looking for this ad. I kinda been looking for it for years...especially since i worked for a BMW dealer. What drove me nuts is never forgetting the music of this ad. Wish i could find out if it was BMW's own music or an artist. Please post if you know!!!

[Mefactor]

i love this commrcial. i want the music for when im driving in my 5 srs.