Crusader launches big-buck TV campaign

After splashing a tidy six-figure sum on one of the most lavish launch events in Australian RV history, Melbourne's Crusader Caravans continues to spend up big on the promotion of its fully updated MY25 range, with the launch this week of its first major national TV campaign.

The 15- and 30-second ads feature Crusader's new $170,000 XCountry Mad Max off-grid model, being towed by a Ford Everest Platinum along forest-lined bitumen roads before hitting the dirt and mountain peaks, while showing off the top-spec model's Raptor-coated chassis, complete with Cruisemaster ATX Stage 4 airbags and disc brakes.

The campaign was put together by Melbourne's Chocolate Studios, which also counts Ozito, Bob Jane T-Marts, Carlton & United Breweries, Miele and the Victorian Government, among its clients. The Crusader ads will run on free-to-air TV via the Nine Network as well as on Youtube and Facebook.

“We couldn’t be happier with how Chocolate Studios has brought our core values to life on the small screen – the imagery is stunning and really captures Crusader’s commitment to being best-in-class for innovation, construction materials, build quality and value,” Crusader Caravans' founder and CEO Serge Valentino, said.

“While the Crusader brand is often the choice of experienced caravanners well versed on the differences among the various brands, we are hopeful the ads will deliver a boost to the awareness of the brand among those new to caravanning. Crusader has never embarked on any national TV ad campaign this big, so this is a real testament to the solid growth of the business,” he said.

Crusader's MY25 fibreglass composite range comprises 30 different hardtop model variations, and is built at Crusader’s two-year old mega-factory in Epping, Victoria which employs around 200 people and produces as many as 2000 vans a year.

Meanwhile, the 22-year old caravan manufacturer recently started selling two of its smallest models, the Gladiator Force and Chameleon, in the USA under the Dreamhaven RV banner. The Dreamhaven name was first used by Serge Valentino when he started building caravans in 2002, and the latest Dreamhaven/Crusader CRV compact caravans are currently being sold in the States at Gerzeny’s RV World, which has four retail outlets in Florida.

“Our expansion into the US is a very exciting milestone for Crusader and we’ve already received our first order for 50 caravans from Florida,” Valentino said.

Check out the video below for a review of America's newest travel trailer imports...

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