Mercedes Benz’s latest spot, directed by RadicalMedia's Sebastian Strasser and produced by ANORAK, celebrates International Women’s Day by telling the story of Bertha Benz who, in 1888, went on the first long-distance journey in an automobile. The commercial depicts a vignette of Bertha’s car breaking down in a town who’s inhabitants are sceptical, even afraid, of her and the machine she is operating. Bertha remains calm and focused on finding a solution for the broken down vehicle. She persuades a pharmacist in the town to give her ligroin petroleum which restores the automobile’s power and allows Bertha and her children to continue on their long journey. Bertha believed in more than a car, she believed in herself. It took Bertha 12 hours to complete the 106km journey to her parents’ house in Pforzheim. The pharmacy where she bought ligroin is considered the first gas station in history. She introduced her husband’s invention to the world and changed our lives forever. 

Not only is the story of Bertha’s journey powerful in itself, but Strasser’s spot also tells a more subtle story of a young girl who is fearful at first, but then inspired by Bertha’s journey. A great nod to all of the women in history who have become role-models to young girls who are aspiring to great futures.