A New Era of Brand Transformation
BMW introduced the “THE NEUE NEW” campaign in 2023 as part of its communication strategy around the BMW Vision Neue Klasse.1 The campaign marked a symbolic departure into a new phase of the brand’s evolution, focusing on reinterpreting what “new” meant in the context of mobility and design.1 The initiative framed the upcoming Neue Klasse model generation as a turning point for BMW, both technologically and culturally, positioning it as the foundation of a future-oriented product strategy.1, 2
Emotional Storytelling and Human Focus
The campaign placed strong emphasis on emotional storytelling, presenting BMW’s transformation in a more accessible and human-centered way.1 It highlighted the brand’s shift toward placing people at the center of mobility innovation, rather than focusing solely on technical specifications.1 BMW communicated this change through narratives that emphasized how future mobility would connect to everyday needs and experiences, rather than existing as abstract technological progress.
Sustainability, Digitalization, and Circular Thinking
A core part of the campaign focused on BMW’s strategic priorities: sustainability, digitalization, and circular economy principles.1 These themes were integrated into the messaging as central pillars of the company’s transformation. The Vision Neue Klasse was positioned as a convergence point for these ideas, representing how future vehicles would be designed with resource efficiency, advanced digital systems, and electrification in mind.2
A 360-Degree Multi-Channel Approach
BMW distributed the campaign across a wide range of channels, including social media platforms, influencer collaborations, outdoor advertising, print media, and digital experiences.1 The strategy followed a “social-first” approach, with content designed to engage audiences across multiple touchpoints.1 The campaign also incorporated augmented reality filters and interactive digital elements, allowing audiences to engage with the Vision Neue Klasse in more immersive formats.1
Physical and Digital Brand Activation
The campaign extended beyond digital platforms into physical installations and events, including presentations at major automotive exhibitions such as IAA Mobility in Munich.1, 3 These activations were designed to translate the campaign’s conceptual themes into tangible experiences for visitors. Through these combined efforts, BMW reinforced the idea that its transformation was not only theoretical but actively unfolding across both product development and brand communication.
Redefining “The New” for the Future
Overall, “THE NEUE NEW” campaign positioned BMW as a brand in transition, redefining its identity through innovation, sustainability, and emotional connection. It reframed the concept of “new” not as a simple product update, but as a broader shift in thinking about mobility and brand purpose. The campaign ultimately served as a communication bridge between BMW’s heritage and its future direction, aligning design innovation with cultural and environmental responsibility.
Source: BMW Youtube
Written with AI assistance, edited by a human. Find out more about our Use of AI.
1. BMW Group PressClub, "THE NEUE NEW: BMW accompanies the departure into a new era with an emotionally engaging multi-channel campaign", 8 September 2023, for the campaign's launch around the world premiere of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse, framed as "a new beginning for the BMW brand" and as a play on the German word for "new" that references the forthcoming Neue Klasse model series, for the emotionally engaging approach and a visual implementation called "authentic, accessible and human" by Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and BMW Brand, who says the campaign is "putting people front and centre", for the three themes of a circular economy geared towards preserving resources, digitalisation focused on identifying and meeting people's needs and a commitment to electrification, for the 360-degree campaign with a "social first" approach built on BMW's social media channels, influencer collaborations, out-of-home activities, double-page spreads in print media and BMW's own channels (the My BMW App, the brand homepage and FREUDE.FOREVER magazine), for the Instagram and Snapchat filter that presents the BMW Vision Neue Klasse in an augmented reality experience, and for the campaign becoming a physical experience at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, with the BMW Group's Open Space at Max-Joseph-Platz designed by Meiré and Meiré. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0436864EN/the-neue-new:-bmw-accompanies-the-departure-into-a-new-era-with-an-emotionally-engaging-multi-channel-campaign
2. BMW Group PressClub USA, "BMW reinvents itself: The BMW Vision Neue Klasse", 2 September 2023, for the Neue Klasse presented as "leading BMW into a new era", as a concept that "will certainly impact all model generations" and as bringing the mobility of the next decade to the roads in 2025, and for the vehicle built around electrification, digitalization and circularity, with increased use of secondary raw materials and resource-efficient production. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0434078EN_US/bmw-reinvents-itself:-the-bmw-vision-neue-klasse
3. BMW Group PressClub, "The BMW Group at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich", 23 August 2023, for the world premiere of the BMW Vision Neue Klasse at IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, held from 5 to 10 September 2023, and for the BMW Group's Open Space at Max-Joseph-Platz as one of the show's main arenas. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0430738EN/the-bmw-group-at-iaa-mobility-2023-in-munich