BMW marks 40 years of the M3 with nostalgic campaign via Betty Wants In
BMW is marking 40 years of its iconic M3 with a new campaign that blends high-speed performance, visual effects and even a nostalgic throwback soundtrack, created with Betty Wants In.
The announcement
Directed by Max Greenstein and produced by Chas Mackinnon, the campaign was shot at Phillip Island Circuit alongside a studio production, creating a seamless cinematic journey across six generations of the M3.
Alex McLean, general manager of marketing and product at BMW, said the campaign taps into both heritage and emotion.
“As we celebrate 40 years of the BMW M3, the true Ultimate Driving Machine, we’ve revisited our history to bring an early-2000s classic back to life.
Iconic ads live in people’s minds, and when you reconnect that memory to pure automotive desire, it becomes far more powerful than just another campaign.
The BMW M3 has always been defined by innovation, motorsport pedigree and genuine emotion, and this project lets us tap into that heritage in a way that feels both familiar and fresh.
These are real cars on the real Phillip Island circuit, an Australian icon in its own right, which adds authenticity you just can’t fake.
This film is the result of a remarkable team effort, blending creativity, history and technical precision to celebrate not only where the BMW M3 has come from, but where it’s heading.”
The film uses visual effects to transition between each generation of the vehicle, creating a continuous, high-energy narrative.
Soundtracking the campaign is the return of Like The Way You Move, the early-2000s track by BodyRockers, originally featured in a BMW campaign and revived here for a new audience.
Kaz James, one half of BodyRockers, said: “BMW’s ‘Like The Way You Move’ ad was a huge moment for the track. It was already something people instantly recognised, but seeing it grow and be picked up by BMW on a global scale was incredible.
Being able to revisit the track for this campaign feels really special. I’m currently touring, and while on the road, I’ve had the chance to connect with other creatives through this project.”
The campaign will roll out across broadcast, cinema, and digital platforms including YouTube and Instagram.
Production credits
Production company: Betty Wants In
Director: Max Greenstein
Executive producer: Chas Mackinnon
Production manager: Ally Curtis
Production coordinator: Lili Callisto
Director of photography: Richard Kendall
Post-production: Studio Pancho
Offline editor: Raffael Oliveri
Online editor: Jamie Scott
Colourist: Edel Rafferty
