Autoblog

Being in Chrysler's Eminem Super Bowl ad changed gospel choir's lives [w/videos]

George Kennedy — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler

In 2011, Chrysler unveiled its now-famous "Imported from Detroit" ad during the Super Bowl. The ad that sparked a Motown rallying cry of sorts featured Eminem, the Chrysler 200, and a key musical element; the Selected of God gospel choir. The choir performed Eminem's "Lose Yourself," and in doing so, unwittingly catapulted their careers.

The Detroit Free Press has highlighted how the group became involved with Chrysler, and the subsequent fame that came with the ad. Apparently ad agency Wieden + Kennedy was looking to cast genuine Detroiters rather than actors for the ad campaign, and sought out a bellman, waitresses, and a gospel choir. Larry Callahan, director of the Selected of God choir, answered a casting call to audition for the ad. Only days before the ad ran did they know their full role in the TV spot.

Apparently, while the choir was rehearsing at Detroit's legendary Fox Theater, Eminem walked in. The director though the rapper's presence would distract the group, but they continued to perform. In reaction to this, the ad's creators changed the concept to its final incarnation.

Following the ad, which gained national attention, the choir's fame rose, too. According to Callahan, the number of shows that Selected of God performs per year has gone from a half-dozen to almost 60. The group is debuting its third album, entitled The Evolution II, today, featuring promotion from Walmart and Chrysler, which continues to partner with, and support the choir.

Selected of God has performed at the New York Auto Show, as well as at Chrysler-sponsored events. The choir will be performing at the Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit, with the sponsorship of Chrysler. In addition, the Auburn Hills automaker will once again feature the Selected of God choir in a new ad, titled "Big Finish," which is set to air at the end of the year.

Continue reading Being in Chrysler's Eminem Super Bowl ad changed gospel choir's lives [w/videos]

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Sorry Clint and Eminem, your ads were not the most significant for Chrysler [w/video]

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

Though it has been the company's star-laden Super Bowl commercials starring Eminem and Clint Eastwood that have garnered the most buzz for Chrysler and its ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, the principals agree that it was a far earlier spot that has made the biggest impact thus far.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne and John Jay, Global Executive Creative Director for Wieden + Kennedy, agreed recently that it was the commercial for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has had the most significant impact for Chrysler in the post-bailout era.

The Grand Cherokee, you'll remember, was the first product introduced by the Chrysler Group coming out of bankruptcy, and was therefore poised to make a big impression - good or bad - on the American public. The Jeep commercial then needed to hammer home the notion of a quality, American-made product, while also laying the groundwork for the Imported from Detroit commercials (of Super Bowl fame) that were still to come. Marchionne called the Jeep commercial "a turning point" and said that it was still being tweaked, right down to the very end.

Watching the spot today (scroll down to have a look), it is easier to see it as a successful foundational piece of the messaging that we're getting from Chrysler today.

Continue reading Sorry Clint and Eminem, your ads were not the most significant for Chrysler [w/video]

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Chrysler readying 200 8 Mile, 300 Motown special edition models [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities

It's been a couple of years since Chrysler first kicked off its popular "Imported from Detroit" tagline, but the automaker's hometown rally cry is about to make the move from advertising to special-edition models. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler will introduce the Chrysler 300 Motown and Chrysler 200 8 Mile special editions confirming our previous report, and these new models are only two of 66 new models expected out by 2014 that Chrysler previewed to its dealers recently.

The article states that the new 200 package will mark 10 years since Eminem's 8 Mile movie first hit the big screen, and while there are sure to be many jokes about a special-edition car named after the city's historic yet poverty-lined road, it is one of many "buzz packages" that Chrysler hopes will continue its upward sales trend. With filming already complete for the 300 Motown commercial, it is likely that this will be the next buzz car we will see from Chrysler, as it will coincide with the new Broadway show called Motown: The Musical opening next spring. The 300C John Varvatos and 300 Glacier are new additions for Chrysler as well and special edition packages are also planned for the Ram 1500 and Dodge Dart.

Scroll down to see Chrysler's original "Imported from Detroit" ad with Eminem's Lose Yourself which received plenty of buzz when it aired during Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

Continue reading Chrysler readying 200 8 Mile, 300 Motown special edition models [w/video]

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Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]

David Kiley — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities, Ram

Perhaps no car company has made bigger splashes in the last two years at the Super Bowl than Chrysler, and the automaker's marketing chief, Olivier Francois, said today that he plans to be all over the big game again in February.

Last year, the company made an ad featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. The spot achieved viral status quickly when pundits charged that Eastwood's lines were politically motivated; meant to appeal to progressive voters/viewers favoring a second term for President Obama. In 2011, agency Wieden & Kennedy burst into the game with a now famous commercial featuring Eminem. Both ads have supported Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" marketing platform.

Francois briefed reporters Monday at the Detroit Opera House while he also debuted a new series of ads for the Ram brand.

The new spots for the updated Ram 1500 have a theme of "Heaven and Earth," and speak to the lengths to which Ram will go to win over new buyers (read: Ford and Chevrolet truck owners). The brand, spun off from Dodge three years ago to its own franchise, continues using the deep, manly, seemingly tobacco-choked voice of actor Sam Elliott, who also appears in the ads.

We are going to see a lot of this campaign during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series. "With this truck launch we literally swing for the fences," said Fred Diaz, the head of the Ram division as well as president of Chrysler's Mexican operations. Get it?

Ram has been succeeding by focusing its messaging around the iconic Elliott, as well as making serious upgrades to the 2013 Ram 1500. Ram has also been spending resources targeting the Hispanic audience, whose pickup buying has been on the rise. Ram has seen its share of the light-duty pickup market surge 1.7 points to 17 percent among Hispanics in test markets. Ram has seen its overall share of the light and heavy pickup segment rise from 14.6 percent to 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2012.

Chrysler did more to the mid-cycle refresh for the Ram than is usually done on a vehicle. But under Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has made increasing share for the Ram a priority. "What started out as a minor freshening," said Diaz, "turned into a major overhaul." The 2013 Ram, which was already the pickup with the best road manners, got a new air suspension, and a new powertrain lineup including a V6 mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that returns a segment-best 25 miles per gallon on the highway; giving Ram bragging rights on fuel economy.

Have a look at four of the new Ram commercials below, where you'll also find the official press release.

Continue reading Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos]

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler vs. Pure Detroit "Imported From Detroit" legal dustup settled

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler

Chrysler and Pure Detroit have agreed to a settlement in the legal wrangling over Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" tagline. According to The Detroit News, the automaker and T-shirt purveyor have asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuits against one another. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Chrysler had sued the entrepreneurial company in March 2011, after Pure Detroit sought to cash in on the popularity of the phrase following last year's Super Bowl ad featuring Eminem. Chrysler has its own line of "Imported" merchandise, which it has used to fund charitable organizations. Pure Detroit counter-sued and went on selling its wares after a judge refused to grant Chrysler an injunction against the smaller company in June 2011, according to the report. Pure Detroit maintained that Chrysler's campaign "amounts to false advertising," said the News, because none of the vehicles (the 200, 300 and Town & Country) shown in the ads are built within Detroit proper.

The pair of legal combatants had agreed to mediation in March. Their resultant deal should preempt a trial that would have taken place in August.

Chrysler vs. Pure Detroit "Imported From Detroit" legal dustup settled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clint Eastwood stepping in for Eminem in Chrysler Super Bowl ad?

Chris Paukert — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Celebrities

Last year, Chrysler made a big splash in the advertising world with its "Imported From Detroit" campaign, a marketing blitz that kicked off with a Super Bowl spot featuring rapper Eminem behind the wheel of a Chrysler 200 sedan. The campaign jumpstarted a national dialogue about Detroit, went on to win an Emmy, and the tagline has since become a cornerstone of Chrysler's marketing efforts. But according to The Wall Street Journal, the Auburn Hills automaker isn't looking to return to The Big Game with Marshall Mathers - it's going with veteran actor Clint Eastwood.

According to the WSJ, Eastwood will feature in an expansive two-minute long ad and the action will likely center on the actor "giving the country a pep talk." While seemingly every other automaker has already spilled the beans on their Super Bowl marketing efforts, the Pentastar is playing its hand close to the vest, with the WSJ unable to get Chrysler to comment on the story.

Click past the jump for a quick refresher on Chrysler's Super Bowl ad with Eminem from 2011.

Continue reading Clint Eastwood stepping in for Eminem in Chrysler Super Bowl ad?

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What automotive ads went viral in 2011?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Volkswagen

It's been a serious year for automotive advertising. From dancing hamsters to big-name talent like Jennifer Lopez, Eminem and Dr. Dre, we saw automakers go all out in an attempt to lure buyers to their showrooms. But which spots garnered the most eyes? SkiddMark.com has taken the time to rank the top ten most popular automotive commercials of 2011 on YouTube, and it likely comes as no surprise that Volkswagen took the top spot with its The Force commercial. The spot debuted during the Super Bowl and featured an adorable Darth Vader. The combination was good enough to win the company a staggering 47.5 million views and over 4.8 million shares.

By contrast, Ken Block's Gymkhana Four drug home 13.1 million views and 2.1 million shares to take home second place. That's a massive gap, though Block also took the fifth and eighth place spots with his Gymkhana Three and Two, respectively. Not too shabby for selling sneakers.

Other winners included the Team Hot Wheels Yellow Driver's World Record Jump and the Chrysler Eminem Super Bowl Commercial. Head over to SkiddMark.com for the full list.

What automotive ads went viral in 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Chrysler "Imported From Detroit" ad trades in Eminem for poetry on Thanksgiving

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Luxury

Edgar Albert Guest was a transplanted Detroiter, his family having moved from Birmingham, England to The Motor City well before Detroit earned that nickname. From there, he embraced the city and life itself, penning more than 10,000 poems with titles like "On Quitting" and "It Takes a Heap O' Livin'." His works had simple, inspiring themes that earned him the title of The People's Poet and the only-ever Poet Laureateship of Michigan. And it is he that Chrysler has turned to for its next Imported from Detroit commercial, advertising the 2012 Chrysler 300.

Guest's poem "See it Through," a lash of encouragement for the folks battling World War I, is spoken over snatches of Detroit still-lifes: children swinging, NFL fans tailgating, a grocer in his doorway. Underneath all that, Muddy Waters does a little bit of his version of "Mannish Boy." It doesn't have the shock and grit of Eminem's take, but it's just as good.

In fact, it's so good at recasting images of Detroit that we thought the city itself should do the same for itself, then AdWeek found out someone else already did. Boat Magazine, a biannual English magazine about cities, did its second issue on Detroit. To advertise it, Boat produced a video using voiceover of the same Guest poem and its own quotidian scenes of the city. Chalk up another one for high coincidence. If you missed the commercial during yesterday's Thanksgiving Day Lion's game, you can check it out after the jump - and we've even included the Boat Magazine vid for good measure.

Continue reading Latest Chrysler "Imported From Detroit" ad trades in Eminem for poetry on Thanksgiving

Latest Chrysler "Imported From Detroit" ad trades in Eminem for poetry on Thanksgiving originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler, Eminem team up for 'Imported from Detroit' charity effort

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities

Everyone remembers Chrysler's 'Imported from Detroit' Super Bowl ad that starred rap artist Eminem and featured the new 200 sedan. To build on the success of this ad, the automaker is now launching the Imported from Detroit Project, in conjunction with Eminem, that will highlight events and activities that promote the city of Detroit.

To kick off the IFD Project, Chrysler and Eight Mile Style, LLC - a publisher of Eminem-composed works - have teamed up to create a special, gospel version of the rapper's song "Lose Yourself." Performed by the Selected of God choir (originally featured in the Super Bowl ad), a downloadable version of the song is available through iTunes for $0.99, with proceeds going to benefit three Detroit-based charities: Abayomi Community Development Corporation, The Yunion and Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Foundation.

Along with the iTunes track, Chrysler has released a music video of the Selected of God choir performing the song. Both a trailer and the full-length video are available after the jump, as is the official press release, where you can read more about the specific charities that will benefit from the song's proceeds.

Continue reading Chrysler, Eminem team up for 'Imported from Detroit' charity effort

Chrysler, Eminem team up for 'Imported from Detroit' charity effort originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi settles Chrysler Eminem ad infringement argument [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST

Audi and Chrysler looked ready to tussle over the German automaker's European commercial for the 2012 Audi A6 Avant. The commercial spot in question had many accusing it of being a bit too close to the Chrysler "Imported from Detroit" campaign that kicked off with Eminem selling the world on Detroit and the automaker's new 200 sedan. What could've been a negative battle has, in fact, become quite a positive for the city of Detroit.

The two automakers won't reveal specific terms of their settlement, but both state that the end result was reached amicably. As a result of their agreement, Audi is going to spend some cash on projects that work directly towards the revitalization of the Motor City.

Need a refresher on both ads? Click past the jump to watch both.

Continue reading Audi settles Chrysler Eminem ad infringement argument [w/video]

Audi settles Chrysler Eminem ad infringement argument [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch the Audi A6 Avant ad accused of ripping off Chrysler and Eminem

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Audi, Chrysler

2012 Audi A6 Avant ad - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Chrysler 200 Super Bowl ad has all the makings of an instant classic. The two-minute long spot had star power, a terrific soundtrack and an uplifting message that struck a chord with the working man. We loved the commercial, and after a strong reception, we fully expected other automakers' ad agencies to ape elements of Team Pentastar's idea.

We just didn't expect that someone to be Audi, which has a strong track record of independent advertising thinking here in the States, even if much of it relies on direct comparisons to the competition. Interestingly, while the German automaker is the one that finds itself squarely in the intellectual property crosshairs, Chrysler isn't the one doing the complaining. The Detroit Free Press reports that Eight Mile Style, Eminem's song licensing company, is suing Audi for this German ad for the A6 Avant that is said to use an unauthorized interpretation of "Lose Yourself" from the Eight Mile movie soundtrack.

So Audi is using a song that sounds like "Lose Yourself." That has little to do with Chrysler's spot, right? Well, not so much. See, the ad is also over two minutes long, the eerily similar song is used in almost the exact same way, and, well, the two spots look awfully alike.

With the way the songs were used, the way the ad was shot and edited and the similarities between some of the shots, it seems obvious to us that Audi's ad agency was (*ahem*) inspired by Chrysler's Super Bowl ad. But don't take our word for it. Hit the jump to watch both ads and judge for yourself.

Continue reading Watch the Audi A6 Avant ad accused of ripping off Chrysler and Eminem

Watch the Audi A6 Avant ad accused of ripping off Chrysler and Eminem originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit City Council honors Chrysler's Super Bowl commercial [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler

Chrysler's Super Bowl commercial - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Chrysler's two-minute long Super Bowl commercial won nationwide praise for its uplifting, can-do message about the embattled city of Detroit. And if you think the novella-sized spot for the Chrysler 200 was popular across the U.S., then you can imagine how the ad played within the borders of the city itself.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Detroit City Council paid homage to the Eminem ad with an official recognition on Tuesday. The council tipped its hat to Team Pentastar for painting the city in a positive light, adding that the spot "helped to paint a positive portrayal of our beloved city on a national level by filming the entire commercial inside the city of Detroit and showcasing all of our great landmarks." Chrysler brand CEO Olivier Francois said that the ad paid homage to a great city and the home of the auto industry.

When we first saw the two-minute commercial we couldn't help but think that Chrysler should have featured the hot-looking 300 instead of the Sebring-derived 200 (even though the former is built in neighboring Canada). But in retrospect, we're thinking that the power of this ad made the car itself an afterthought in the long run. Hit the jump to watch the commercial again.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading Detroit City Council honors Chrysler's Super Bowl commercial [w/video]

Detroit City Council honors Chrysler's Super Bowl commercial [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler's Eminem ad almost didn't happen, pair meeting today to discuss sequel

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler, Celebrities

Eminem and Chrysler are Imported from Detroit - Click above to watch video after the jump

The hit single Lose Yourself is the most successful song from Eminem's career to date. It's gone platinum four times over and was the first rap single ever to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Countless ad agencies and companies have tried to license it for use in commercials, yet none received permission... that is, until Chrysler's Super Bowl ad hit TV screens around the world.

Eminem and Chrysler both call Detroit home, so getting a real local hero on board for a Chrysler ad is quite a big deal. Oliver Francois, Chief Marketing Officer for Chrysler, met with Eminem and Lose Yourself co-writer Joel Martin to discuss the idea of using the song in an ad.

Martin and Eminem had turned down countless offers and millions of dollars to lend their song out for advertising efforts. Francois, however, approached Slim Shady from an angle that hit home: Chrysler is trying to rise from the ashes, as is Detroit and even Eminem himself.

Around the time when Chrysler declared bankruptcy, Eminem released an album called Relapse that sold poorly. Chrysler cars weren't selling, Detroit was an undesirable place to call home and Eminem had a weak album flopping on the charts. That was 2009, yet a couple of years later, Eminem finds himself nominated for 11 Grammy awards and Chrysler has a refreshed lineup hitting dealer showrooms.

Eminem decided to let Chrysler use Lose Yourself and also appeared in the Super Bowl spot, which garnered a lot of positive attention. Internet searches for the Chrysler 200 were way up shortly after the spot aired and the commercial is closing in on five million views on YouTube.

With a critical reception like that, it's no surprise that TheDetroitBureau.com is reporting that Francois and Eminem's posse are set to meet today in a closed-door session to discuss possible future collaborations, and the discussion is likely to center around a followup ad to the Super Bowl "Born of Fire" spot. Click past the jump for a quick refresher on the epic two-minute commercial.

[Sources: AOL Autos, TheDetroitBureau.com, Chrysler via YouTube]

Continue reading Chrysler's Eminem ad almost didn't happen, pair meeting today to discuss sequel

Chrysler's Eminem ad almost didn't happen, pair meeting today to discuss sequel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opinion: Chrysler's Eminem Super Bowl commercial advertises Detroit with wrong car [w/video] *UPDATE

David Kiley — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Celebrities

Chrysler Super Bowl ad with Eminem - Click above to watch video after the jump

It took guts on many levels. Chrysler created a two-minute ad for the Super Bowl in just the last couple of weeks to promote its new 200 sedan. Cost: About $10 million give or take.

The ad, starring Eminem and showing scenes and sites of Detroit that many outside Southeast Michigan won't even recognize, is a love-letter to the city of Detroit as much as an introduction of a new risky ad tagline for the brand: "Imported from Detroit."

It's unlikely that any car company has ever used "Detroit" in an ad slogan. It is even more unlikely that any company would think about it now given the awful image the city has not only in the rest of the country, but even within the state of Michigan.

The ad and the strategy is the work, ironically, of Portland, Oregon-based ad agency Wieden & Kennedy, which is perhaps best known for its long-running Nike work, as well as work for Coca-Cola. It is also the brainchild of Chrysler chief marketing officer Olivier Francois, who also holds the title of CEO of Chrysler brand.

Click through the jump to watch the video and to continue reading...

Gallery: 2011 Chrysler 200: First Drive

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Chrysler via YouTube]

Continue reading Opinion: Chrysler's Eminem Super Bowl commercial advertises Detroit with wrong car [w/video] *UPDATE

Opinion: Chrysler's Eminem Super Bowl commercial advertises Detroit with wrong car [w/video] *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Slim Shady plays an assembly line worker in 8 Mile

Sure, thousands of auto workers may be losing their jobs, but don't think they've got nowhere to go. Following similar overtures made by Jay Leno and Michigan restauranteur A.J. O'Neil, Slim Shady will be putting on a free concert for Detroit's unemployed auto workers. But on top of playing for the downtrodden in his home town, Eminem will also be sayin' hello to Hollywood with 200 of his fellow Detroiters.

The concert is a joint effort between Slim (who played an assembly-line worker in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile) and Jimmy Kimmel, on whose show Eminem will be appearing and performing (presumably and somewhat ironically, in the Pontiac Garage). Kimmel and Matthers felt it was important to show the world how the Detroit 3 crisis is affecting "real people" while showing them a good time in the process. It'll be back to MoTown following the performance where Shady is scheduled to put on another exclusive show for auto workers in their natural habitat, where the entertained laid-off workers will hopefully be able to lose themselves in the music... at least for the evening.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Eli Reed/Universal Studios]

The Eminem Show: Slim Shady and Jimmy Kimmel flying 200 autoworkers to Hollywood originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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