Autoblog

VW chooses Deutsch LA as its new ad agency

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

Chrysler, Cadillac, and Chevrolet aren't the only folks looking for new advertising agencies on the assumption that, to quote GM CEO Fritz Henderson, "We can do better." For the last four years Crispin, Porter and Bogusky has attended to Volkswagen's advertising needs, bringing us moments like the return of the "Rabbit" name, that talking black Beetle, the "Find Your Fast," "Unpimp Mein Auto," "Meet the Volkswagens" and Brooke Shields hawking Routans.

Now it's the turn of Deutsch LA, who won VW's print and digital business. VW has just 2% of the U.S. market, which is about half a percent higher than when Bogusky took over, but they desperately want to get that higher and they'll be showering $200 million on Deutsch LA to make that happen.

Deustch LA's last automotive account was Saturn, and we'll assume the reason we can't remember a single Saturn commercial is due to GM's lack of ad creativity, not the agency's. VW is known for its willingness to go bold with campaigns, so we look forward to seeing what Deutsch can do.

[Source: Brandweek]

VW chooses Deutsch LA as its new ad agency originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevrolet follows Cadillac into the advertising agency review breach

Dan Roth — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

Some loyalties run deep in Detroit, take Chevrolet's relationship with its advertising agency. Campbell-Ewald has been urging people to buy bowties since 1922, when a single magazine ad contained more words than a BMW press release. Chevrolet's account is huge, and the automaker is not looking to make a clean break from its long-time agency, the layer-cake of ongoing efforts is far too tall for that. What's most likely to happen is that Chevrolet will accept outside pitches from hungry, creative operations.

The acceptance of outside solicitation will help keep C-E on its toes, as well. Names of well known agencies have been tossed about as supplemental providers, but with so many other auto brands reviewing their contracts with their respective agencies, including Cadillac, some of the best companies might have a problem pitching yet another player at this point. Since these tertiary players aren't expected to take on full agency roles, it bodes well for small shops worldwide. Time to head to your basement and get storyboarding; it could be you doing the next viral campaign for the Malibu. Just don't create fake stalkers or anything.

[Source: Business Week]

Chevrolet follows Cadillac into the advertising agency review breach originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Take my ad account, please! Ford puts job of marketing Focus up for grabs

John Neff — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

We would rather be tasked with reversing the downward tug of gravity than take on the ad account for the 2008 Ford Focus. The Blue Oval has announced that the account may not be handled by its usual agency, JWT Detroit, and that it's searching for a brave new agency to take on the daunting task of selling the redesigned Focus. JWT Detroit will bid for the account, but sources say Ford would like at least two outside agencies with fresh ideas to also compete for the job.

We were harsh on the 2008 Ford Focus mainly because the car's new styling leaves a lot to be desired. To be blunt, the designers turned the attractive styling of the original Focus that had survived a couple evolutions into a mess of creases, curves and fake vender vents the likes of which we haven't seen since the Saturn ION first arrived. Nevertheless, the new Focus will be significantly lighter than the outgoing model, which should help handling and fuel ecomony; the new SYNC interface developed with Microsoft is supposedly a serious piece of tech; and a coupe body style is being offered in place of the three- and five-door hatchback.

So the 2008 Ford Focus does have positive attributes on which an ad agency can focus its campaign. Nevertheless, it still looks the way it does, which any ad agency worth its weight in pop up ads knows will be extremely difficult to sell.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus

Take my ad account, please! Ford puts job of marketing Focus up for grabs originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

As the ad world turns: Male activist group pesters Volvo to portray fathers better

Dan Roth — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Volvo

Poor Arnold Worldwide. They were mining advertising gold for Volkswagen in the late 1990s with clever spots and print ads. Apparently the relationship went cold, and VW moved on. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in Boston, but now, Arnold has found themselves in the crosshairs of father's advocacy groups as they vie for Volvo's ad money.

Arnold is in contention to win the $150 million account for Volvo's advertising, but they're drawing fire for past work that's denigrated fatherhood. Men's-issue advocate Glenn Sacks is leading the charge, along with the groups HusbandsandFathers.org and Fathers and Families. Sacks cites Arnold's recent work for clients such as Fidelity and Verizon as evidence the advertising agency is "anti-father."

For its part, Arnold has been dragged in far enough for CEO Fran Kelly to rebut Sacks's claims and point out that the client has the final say on any creative before a campaign leaves the concept stage. It must be a little bewildering. One day, you're sitting there in the Pru, doing your agency thing, and the next thing you know, they're outside with a cauldron and pitchforks. While Sacks has a point that portrayals of fathers on television is a caricature at best, most of what's on the tube is hyperbole. The efforts of these advocacy groups may be better directed at the brands and companies that are approving the campaigns that offend. With a little sensitivity training, the end customers may start making more considered decisions. We won't be holding our breath, but hey, it could happen.

UPDATE - Volvo has provided us with a statement regarding its current ad agency search:

"Volvo has four outstanding agencies vying for its advertising account, and it is our intention to select the agency that we think has the best understanding of our brand, the best creative and that can best communicate our brand and product attributes to the public. In the end, Volvo will be the ultimate decider on the advertising that reaches the airwaves or the printed page."

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]

As the ad world turns: Male activist group pesters Volvo to portray fathers better originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments