A sneaky Zoé Saldaña demonstrates how to experience the joys of life in Grey Goose’s latest global campaign that promotes being present over being productive.
The project, titled “Grey Goose Hotel” is comprised of a series of short films that showcase luxurious living at a palatial resort. The vodka company worked with BBH, the brand’s new creative agency, and director Martin Werner to produce a light-hearted take on ignoring last call.
Although the intended message is to live as the French do, the slick production was filmed on set at Italy’s Lake Como. Every scene exuded indulgent living. That’s not surprising since the area has been, and in some cases still is, the site of properties owned by celebrities such as George Clooney, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Lionel Messi and Sylvester Stallone.
“The opportunity to work with Grey Goose again after almost two decades has been such an amazing full circle moment, and I feel especially aligned with this campaign’s message of living in the present,” said Saldaña via a press release. “Working on ‘Grey Goose Hôtel’ has been the great reminder to stop fretting about being productive and start saying ‘yes’ to more moments that inspire joie de vivre.”
In the inaugural film and without uttering a word, Saldaña and her bevy of friends waiting poolside send the message that life is better when experienced as the French live. Dressing elegantly. Accessorizing expensively. Socializing playfully. Celebrating lavishly. Savoring indulgently.
Saldaña crouches, sneaks, hides and shushes as she moves stealthily through the fictional Grey Goose Hotel. The spot is titled “Last-ish Call,” and its evident that service at the posh hotel has shut down for the night. But Saldaña is determined to keep a secret party going for her and her friends.
She fills a picnic basket concealed behind luggage on a pilfered bellman’s cart. Moving through the hotel, she “acquires” Grey Goose, stemware, whimsical light installations, strawberries, thyme, a jigger, a record player, an album and other party necessities.
The celebratory poolside celebration illustrates the message Grey Goose says it wants to send. That “time is meant to be enjoyed, not just managed,” said Aleco Azqueta, Grey Goose global vice president of marketing. “When we’re always rushing, we miss the moments that truly matter. ‘Make Time Wait’ (the film’s tagline) is our call to rediscover joy, not in what we check off our to-do list, but in what we truly take in.”
A second film, “Not So Dry Martini Cocktail” will debut in mid-July, according to the press release. That installment features Saldaña and her friends on the beach before and during a sudden rainstorm.
“Last-ish Call” rolls out June 12 on TV and social platforms. And during times meant for leisure – the NBA Finals, U.S. Open Golf Championship, Wimbledon and the US Open Tennis Championship – the films will air.
To make the pink cocktail Saldaña mixes with her “borrowed” ingredients, follow this recipe that uses products from France:
Le Zoé Spritz Recipe
- 1.5 oz Grey Goose vodka
- 1.5 oz Perrier sparkling water
- 1.5 oz rosé wine from Provence
- 3 oz strawberry juice
- .5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 sprig of Thyme
- sliced strawberries
- blueberries
In a wine glass, add Grey Goose, rosé wine, Perrier, strawberry juice and fresh lemon juice over cubed ice, and stir gently. Garnish with sliced strawberries, blueberries and sprig of fresh thyme.
