Thierry Henry has returned as Renault brand ambassador, bringing ‘Va Va Voom’ back the first time since 2011.
The legendary French striker will star in a new series of TV idents, as part of Renault’s sponsorship of Premier League football on the UK-based Sky Sports, to be broadcast during or around 96 live matches and non-live programming across the 2018/19 Premier League season.
Renault and Henry share a history going back to 2002, when the then-Arsenal player signed for Renault to create the fan-favourite series of ‘Va Va Voom’ adverts. The adverts certainly left a lasting impact on the British public. In 2004, the phrase ‘Va Va Voom’ was added to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, and in the years since their original broadcast the adverts have regularly featured in lists of classic car ads.
The idents, which will carry the new hashtag #withyoualltheway, will feature real Premier League fans as they experience matches, with Henry following their emotional journey through the ups and downs of the season – while showcasing several Renault cars including the Clio, Captur and all-new Mégane R.S. hot hatch, which launches in South Africa shortly.
Thierry Henry, Renault brand ambassador, said: “It feels great to reignite my long-stating ‘liaison’ with Renault, especially as I’m returning to the team during its first journey into football. Having played in stadiums across the world I know first-hand the passion fans have for both life and their favourite sport. I’m looking forward to helping Renault publicly celebrate this passion over the course of the Premier League season, while injecting some ‘Va Va Voom’ back into British football.”
Thierry Henry enjoyed a 20-year long professional playing career, in which he made nearly 800 appearances. He has played for clubs across the world including Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, FC Barcelona and New York Red Bulls. English fans will best remember him for the eight years he spent at Arsenal, were he scored 228 goals in 376 games and won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, four Golden Boots and two player of the year awards. He became the greatest goal scorer in the clubs history and was an integral part of the club’s iconic “Invincibles” team of 2003/04. He remains France’s all-time leading international goal scorer, having scored 51 goals for his country as part of teams that won both the 1998 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
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FAQ
Q: What Renault models are featured in the new Thierry Henry adverts?
The new #withyoualltheway campaign showcases the Renault Clio, Captur and the all-new Mégane R.S. hot hatch, which was launching in South Africa at the time of the campaign.
Q: When did Thierry Henry first become a Renault brand ambassador?
Henry first signed with Renault in 2002 when he was playing for Arsenal, creating the iconic 'Va Va Voom' advertising campaign that ran until 2011 before his 2018 return.
Q: What does 'Va Va Voom' mean and why is it famous?
'Va Va Voom' was Renault's catchphrase meaning excitement and flair, made so popular by Henry's adverts that it was added to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary in 2004 and the ads are still considered classics today.
Q: Is the Renault Mégane R.S. available in South Africa?
Yes, the Mégane R.S. hot hatch launched in South Africa shortly after this campaign, bringing 220kW of French performance to local roads with typical pricing around R600,000 to R700,000.
Q: Which TV network broadcast the Thierry Henry Renault adverts?
The new Henry idents were broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK during 96 live Premier League matches and related programming throughout the 2018/19 season as part of Renault's football sponsorship deal.
Should You Buy It?
While this article focuses on Renault's marketing campaign rather than specific car reviews, the featured models represent solid choices in their segments. The Renault Clio starts around R280,000 and offers European flair with decent build quality, though reliability can be patchy compared to Japanese rivals. The Captur crossover from around R350,000 provides quirky styling and practical space, but you'll get better value with a Hyundai Creta or Nissan Qashqai. The Mégane R.S. at around R650,000 delivers genuine hot hatch thrills with 220kW, but maintenance costs will make your wallet cry harder than Henry's penalty miss in 2004. If you want that 'Va Va Voom' factor and don't mind higher running costs, Renault offers distinctive French character, but most South African buyers will find better reliability and dealer support elsewhere.
