A Citroën driver risks everything to get an alien back home in BETC’s epic spot

The little green man takes a shine to the new ë-C4 on his way back to the spaceship

Published On
Jan 30, 2025

Editor's Pick

Citroën tells the ageless story of an alien trying to get back to his spaceship—with a twist—in an amusing spot from BETC Paris.

Gary Freedman directed the spot, which impressively sets the scene, as our Citroën driver races get to the ship, with military helicopters and government SUVs giving chase. Along the way, the alien takes a shine to the Citroën ë-C4, and proves singularly ungrateful at the end, when he engages in what the brand called “an unprecedented act of automotive desire.”

The sound design is notable on the film. It was crafted by Wave Studios, which won an Academy Award for its work on “The Zone of Interest.” The alien was designed by the team at Artem SFX in London.

Also read: Behind Cadillac’s first campaign with 72andSunny and its approach to EV marketing

“We wanted to play with classic sci-fi tropes as much as the audience’s emotions,” said Federico Goyret, CMO of Citroën. “You watch this wonderful relationship develop, see them working together to reach the mothership, and just when you think you know where the story is going—our adorable alien pulls off the ultimate betrayal, choosing the comfort of the ë-C4 over their trusted human friend. It’s heartbreaking and hilarious all at once.”

“With European manufacturers finally making the right electric products to reach people’s expectations in terms of sustainability, we’re seeing a move away from apologetic messaging toward pure entertainment,” said Nicholas Bakshi, BETC creative director. “The alien’s fascination with the car isn’t just about showcasing features—it’s about bringing joy and surprise back to automotive storytelling.”

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Credits

Date
Jan 30, 2025
Client :
Citroen
Agency :
BETC-Paris
Advertiser Manager :
Federico Goyret
Advertiser Manager :
Fabian Rodriguez
Advertiser Manager :
Sylvain Peraldi
Advertiser Manager :
Véronique Le Tallec
Advertiser Manager :
Alexandre Echaudemaison
Account Team :
Bertille Toledano
Account Team :
Mehdi Benali
Account Team :
Benjamin Merllie
Account Team :
Benjamin Fleming
Account Team :
Manon Mangaud
Account Team :
Lorène Emprin
Account Team :
Koumba Sabara
Account Team :
Alexandre Copin
President & Chief Creative Officer :
Stephane Xiberras
Creative Director :
Nicholas Bakshi
Copywriter :
Olivier Miller
Art Director :
Morgane Alexandre
Graphic Designer :
Anthony Tavares
Creative Resources Coordinator :
Kemi Zinsou
Creative Resources Coordinator :
Nathalie Sanseigne
Creative Producer :
Magalie Dauleu
Creative Producer :
David Green
Agency Post Producer :
Cyrielle Moustin
Strategic Planning :
Etienne Averseng
Strategic Planner :
Chloé Wren
Associate Creative Director :
Rodolphe Marcotte
Lead Motion & Creative Makers :
Marcus Thouant
Editorial Designer :
Alexia Jalouneix
Creative :
Laure-Astrid Ntsiba
Account Manager :
Oscar Peteil
Project Manager :
Grégoire Krimianis
Digital Producer :
Thomas Recouderc-Meunier
Digital Producer :
Donatien Guepratte
Production Company :
Very Content
Director :
Gary Freedman
Executive Producer :
Helene Segol
Executive Producer :
Eric Lipchitz
Executive Producer :
Jerome Denis
Line Producer :
Aurélia Lafaye
Production Coordinator :
Marie Mezeray
Director of Photography :
Khalid Mohtaseb
1st AD :
Didier Mallet
VFX Supervisor :
Jehan Bouazza
Executive Service Producer :
Division
Animatronics :
Artem
Post-production house :
Mathematic
Post Producer :
Francoise Hernandez
Editor :
Adam Spivey
Editor :
Quentin Kwiatkowski
VFX Producer :
Arnaud Sourdeau
Colorist :
Mathieu Caplanne
Music Supervisor :
Seril Farran
Music Supervisor :
Adam Ghoubali
Sound Studio :
GUM
Head of Production :
Sidney Guillen
Producer :
Marion Torreilles
Producer :
Athénaïs Rubio
Sound Engineer :
Marc Eres
Sound Design :
Wave Studios
Sound Designer :
Ben Gulvin
Audio Producer :
Phoebe Baltazar
Composer :
Nathan Stornetta
Composer :
Martin Batchelar
Music :
Pink Martini
Composer :
Ary Barroso
Composer :
SK Russell

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