Words: Jason Round

Mini has come up with some very cool PR campaigns of late, including the course it had down here near the harbour in Sydney last year, the Mini Cirque circus and now Hammer and Coop, a kind of piss-take on Starsky and Hutch.

Along with an action-star name generator (apparently my name’s ‘Juggernaut Ringer’), you can watch all the episodes at www.hammerandcoop.com, and they’re a lot of fun, complete with KITT-like Mini, crazy kung fu, random appearances by ninjas and a whole lot of porn-film soundtrack.

Torino, Bullitt had his Mustang and even Michael Knight had KITT to help out, but in Mini’s webisode serial, the car is most definitely the star.

As the press release states, “Each webisode promises action, adventure and intrigue, and is sure to keep online audiences riveted to their computer screens. The series was directed by Todd Phillips (Old School, Starsky and Hutch) and stars actor Bryan Callen and, of course, a 2007 New Mini Cooper S.

“The webisodes are joined by a mock music video for Asia’s Heat of the Moment, a popular 1980s song, which features in the last webisode of the series.

All of the films were approached with the same level of enthusiasm as any Hollywood project – requiring a cast and crew of over 70 people, including top actors, a world-famous director and professional stunt men.

“Cinema audiences in America have been teased by Hammer & Coop trailers for the past few weeks, and the feel of the plot line is akin to an urban version of the pursuit of David Mann in his 1970 red Plymouth Valiant in Duel (but with far more humour and much-improved driving dynamics and script).

“The US-wide promotional campaign also includes an array of unique and fun creative components. In addition to the visually engaging billboards that will be unveiled in Miami, Los Angeles and New York City, there are movie posters, print ads, a MySpace page, YouTube exposure, and a number of fun accessories for purchase online, including iron-on logos for tee-shirts, vintage lunchboxes and gear inspired by the series.

It’s plenty of fun, so jump to www.hammerandcoop.com for all the retro action.