Brie Larson Says It's Time To Stop Compromising On What You Deserve

Brie Larson's newest ad campaign with Nissan is a fast-paced, empowering journey through downtown LA, with the major theme being that women should stop settling for less in their careers (and their cars).

The basic premise of this commercial is that a woman's boss nonchalantly dismisses her hopes of a promotion (#relatable) when Brie Larson drives up in her shiny, new Nissan Sentra and tells the woman to get in.

Basically, Brie Larson wearing a leather jacket in a Nissan Sentra is the new knight in shining armor riding in on a gallant steed.

On their drive around Los Angeles, Larson gives the woman a pep talk about refusing to compromise. This premise may not feel familiar to some people, but I and plenty of other women can confirm that this is something that women everywhere deal with every single day. According to McKinsey & Company's recent report entitled "Women In The Workplace 2019," "For every 100 men promoted and hired to manager, only 72 women are promoted and hired. [...] Not surprisingly, men end up holding 62 percent of manager-level positions, while women hold just 38 percent." So, yes, this does happen... pretty damn often.

In the end, Larson drops off her newfound friend who walks away determined to get the recognition she's been missing. Lesson being...

Don't compromise for less than you deserve.

We spoke to Allyson Witherspoon, Vice President of Marketing Communications and Media, Nissan North America about the inspiration and meaning behind this absolutely awesome commercial.

The all-new Nissan Sentra is coming to market during International Women's Month. This timing is perfect to deliver an inspirational message to women around the country. The "Refuse to Compromise" message is particularly powerful because it applies to everyone. No matter your gender, age, ethnicity, financial situation, you should never let situations hold you back in life. Nissan didn't compromise with the all-new Sentra and with this campaign, we are communicating what makes the car stand out — impressive design, handling, performance, and more standard safety technology than any other car in its class. I hope we're inspiring customers to be bold and brave, just like our newest sedan.

Our goal with the "Refuse to Compromise" campaign is to deliver an inspiring way to introduce the all-new Nissan Sentra. Brie Larson has reached fantastic success in a male-dominated industry thanks to her unwavering spirit. She perfectly embodies the spirit of the campaign. Brie has also brought a unique point of view to the creative during the production process, advocating for diversity and inclusivity.

Brie Larson is an absolute joy to work with. We had a phone call to discuss the concept into early stages and she was immediately drawn into the concept and what we're trying to achieve as the Nissan brand and for the all-new Sentra. She brought a unique perspective to the production process and ensuring we had a diverse and inclusive crew. My favorite part was seeing her first reaction to Sentra on set — she loved the car!

Basically, this commercial is all about team-ups and sisterhood, and it seems like the collaborative process of making it was just the same! The commercial went live on Youtube this past Friday. Despite its honorable intentions, it did generate some small yet vitriolic backlash from tweets crying "angry feminist" to people comparing it to the (in)famous Gilette ad exploring toxic masculinity.

Although some backlash is inevitable when you're taking a social or political stance anywhere, companies like Nissan and Gilette that are unafraid of asserting a positive opinion into their ad space are doing important work. And it's better for them too! Studies have shown that companies with diverse ads are more likely to experience gains in revenue and brand perception. And who doesn't want that?

From this new campaign to other affirming messages like Always' "Like A Girl" ad, more companies are using their marketing budgets to not just show off their products but to exemplify a positive message of change and support for the world. You may not realize how deeply intertwined advertisements and culture are, but seeing these types of messages is just one more step to changing our society for the better. No, an ad isn't going to change the law or maybe even change a mind, but it is one more whisper in the back of someone's head that maybe things could and should be different. Plus, it doesn't hurt the bottom line, either!