Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lexus joins growing list of automakers seeking gay buyers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/lexus-joins-growing-list-of-automakers-seeking-gay-buyers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lexus is joining its Toyota stablemate Scion in directly courting gay audiences. The luxury brand's edgier, younger sibling has been in the business of marketing to gays essentially since its inception, but this will mark the first time that Lexus has directly sought the homosexual dollar.

Brian Bolain, Lexus' national advertising and media manager outlines the process that led Lexus into the market in a Gay365.com interview. Being gay himself, Bolain elaborated on how and why Toyota rolled out Scion to the gay community, and how such lessons are being applied to the company's upscale Lexus brand.

In addition to discussing Lexus' shifting market strategies, writer Michael Wilke discusses company (and advertising firm) initiatives in place to craft marketing messages that speak to alternative and minority audiences without offending them.

Lexus joins luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac in directly vying for GLBT dollar.

[Sources: 365Gay.com; Lexus]

(Top tip, Emulous1974!)

 

Lexus joins growing list of automakers seeking gay buyers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bi-sexualBrian BolainBrianBolainGayGay carsGay MotoringGayCarsGayMotoringGLBGLBTGLBTGhomosexualLesbianLexusminoritiesminorityScionWed, 03 May 2006 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford considering amending employment policy's sexual orientation clauses]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/ford-considering-amending-employment-policys-sexual-orientation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford's shareholders are to reportedly consider changing the company's equal employment policy language to exclude any mention of sexual orientation. The move is expected after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected the automaker's bid to keep the matter from its proxy statement. As of right now, the Blue Oval's policy includes clauses that specifically outline the company's pledge not to discriminate based upon sexual orientation, but a request by shareholder Robert Hurley has submitted the proposal for consideration.

Ford has apparently been petitioning the government agency to exclude the issue, arguing that its inclusion will hurt the automaker's chances of wooing potential employees at certain universities (that require sexual orientation to be included in recruiting companies' policies), also fearing that backlash stemming from such a changeover could hurt sales to GLBT supporters.

The proxy statement goes out this Friday, at which point shareholders will vote on the issue. The result is expected to be made public on May 11 at Ford's annual meeting.

[Source: Associated Press via Detroit News]

Ford considering amending employment policy's sexual orientation clauses originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Apr 2006 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACLUBlue OvalBlueOvalEmploymentEqual OpportunityEqualOpportunityFordGayGLBGLBTLesbianSECTrans-GenderWed, 05 Apr 2006 11:02:00 EST