Chattanooga was featured in a national ad campaign promoting Bang & Olufsen’s (B&O) built-in sound system for the Ford Bronco Sport.
Written by Jordan Wollman, creative director, Odyssey, Miles Partnership, the short film titled “Sounds of Adventure” brings the B&O sound experience to life. The film opens with the rumbling of Ford’s EcoBoost engine. A Bronco appears over the rocky trail sporting one of the most popular colors in this vehicle package – Area 51 Blue.
OutdoorTV host, Raheim Robinson appears on screen and delivers the opening line:
“When I’m on an adventure, the world around me is my soundtrack,” he says as the featured track plays – “Zone” by local recording artist Swayyvo.
Filmed and produced by Chattanooga Chamber member, Pathfinder Films, “Sounds of Adventure” places B&O’s audio capacity (and the mobility of its portable speaker, the Beosound Explore) on full display through light, color and sound.
This is one of many occasions Pathfinder Films showcased their hometown pride through a national campaign. Since launching in 2015, the company has found its niche in the Scenic City producing campaigns for local companies including Chattanooga Tourism Co. and Tennessee Aquarium.
They also produced the Chamber’s “Literally Perfect” campaign which was recognized for multiple Addy Awards and helped Chattanooga win Chamber of the Year in 2017.
“As a commercial director this is the dream project. I would do dozens more projects like this. It was a great experience,” says Leif Ramsey, director, Pathfinder Films.
These campaigns fueled Pathfinder’s trajectory in Chattanooga and “Sounds of Adventure” seems to mark a big step in the right direction for the company.
The project came through a collaboration between Miles Partnership, Harman International Industries and Chattanooga Tourism Co. Pathfinder Films was selected as the campaign’s production company.
They filmed in December over three production days around some of Chattanooga’s most iconic locations including Harrison Bay State Park, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, Walnut Street Bridge, Ross’s Landing, Tennessee Aquarium, Market Street Bridge and Enterprise South.
“It was really smooth because you’re not going to an unknown spot like Alaska or Utah,” says Ramsey.
“You can be very tactical about things like weather. I know the region really well. I know we’re going to have amazing sunshine for probably a week at a time around November and December, and I can say that with a lot of confidence when talking to clients. Chattanooga is awesome right now, you should come here.”
Ramsey witnessed how Chattanooga opened its doors to the filming process. Community members were eager to share their stories and assist in any way they could, from allowing early access to Enterprise South to providing a police escort across Market Street Bridge.
In the future, Ramsey hopes that more companies look to Chattanooga for big-name projects. He explains that the pandemic disrupted the industry in such a way that filmmakers are now more inclined to consider a midsized city like Chattanooga.
As the film industry explores new locations outside of New York and California, Ramsey hopes productions will choose Chattanooga as a welcoming midsized city.
With picturesque mountains, rolling rivers and vibrant cultures throughout our region, it’s clear that Chattanooga has something to say. Pathfinder Films and companies like it help bring new projects to Chattanooga, providing more opportunities to share our region’s story throughout the world
Scroll through behind the scenes images below:
Images courtesy of Anthony Robinson Jr. and Pathfinder Films
