On the internet commercials never die. In this week’s Brand20 Index the big stunner was American Express. A constant laggard on the Brand20 Index chart, American Express got a blast from the past. American Express, do you remember all that money you paid M. Night Shyamalan so long ago to feature him in one of your commercials? Tada. It’s still paying off and is the No. 1 most viewed video for American Express this week. The release of The Happening last week set off a great interest in Shyamalan on video platforms and consequently the American Express ad that features M. Night Shyamalan that was produced way back when.

The ad was managed by Ogilvy & Mather, NY which worked with M. Night Shyamalan’s production company to create the ad. They even brought in Industrial Light and Magic to do the special effects. The ad cost a pretty penny. Unfortunately, American Express did nothing to cash in on the great interest for The Happening or M. Night Shyamalan. A great opportunity lost.