The 2026 Prelude launch campaign soared to the top percentiles across Ace Metrix’s key performance metrics, ranking among the top 1% of all tier 1 automotive ads measured this year and ranking in the 99th percentile for all automotive ads ever tested. These results underscore a powerful truth: When strategy and storytelling align, the impact can be extraordinary.
The creative strategy was built around a simple yet powerful idea: driving the Prelude Hybrid is fun. But just saying that it’s fun isn’t enough. So, we set out to undeniably prove it through a novel use of AI-powered facial-expression analysis.
We did this by inviting drivers to put the Prelude to the test on a closed course, while in-car cameras captured their real-time facial expressions. Micro-movements—such as the lift of an eyebrow, the curve of a smile, or the widening of the eyes—were analyzed by a facial-recognition system capable of identifying 98 affective states. This enabled the team to track spikes in “fun” emotions like joy, excitement, and exhilaration throughout each drive, scientifically capturing the joyful energy of the Prelude experience. This data-driven approach didn’t just prove the Prelude was engineered for fun—it reinforced Honda’s heritage of engineering vehicles that move people emotionally as well as physically.
These insights shaped the story of the Prelude on social media as well. We shot first-person POV vertical video of authentic reactions from real fans to hook viewers in skippable feeds. By showcasing a longtime fan and dedicated member of the Prelude community as he did a first-look walkaround of the restyling and a test-drive with drive-mode commentary, the campaign delivered the same exhilaration in social feeds – delivering view rates 25% better than platform benchmarks.
This approach, which debuted right before Thanksgiving in high-profile NFL®, college football, NBA®, and NHL® media placements, celebrated the legacy of Honda performance and connected with audiences on an emotional level, proving that smart strategy and innovative storytelling can outperform even the most lavish productions. The 2026 Prelude campaign stands as a benchmark-setting moment, showing that when creativity connects, performance follows.
