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Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes

David Kiley — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Jaguar, Luxury

Remember the story line in this year's Mad Men? The acclaimed series on AMC about an ad
agency in mid-1960s New York City [SPOILER ALERT] depicted the partners going after and ultimately landing the Jaguar account.

Today's Jaguar Cars did not advertise in the series, nor did it pay for any product or brand placement. But, according to spokesman Stuart Schorr, the company received more searches and traffic to its website during the episodes than companies that actually advertised during the series.

While not all of the story line was favorable to Jaguar, the company was certainly content with the attention, so much so that it ran an ad in Advertising Age congratulating the producers and cast.

One of the episodes showed a British account man at the fictional Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Lane Pryce, was so distraught over being asked for his resignation, that he tried to kill himself by asphyxiating himself in the Jag E-Type his wife had given him. As Pryce started the car, the engine wouldn't turn over. All too typical of a '60s vintage Jag.

Turns out that writers or researchers for the show had called Jaguar anonymously, posing as students, seeking information about Jaguar dealerships of the mid 1960s, specifically how they looked. They also found their way to vice president of brand vice president David Pryor to ask, "How do you make an E-Type not start?"

One might have glibly said, "Turn the key," but Pryor told the caller that loosening the wires to the distributor would certainly do the trick.

It wasn't until the episode aired did Pryor and Schorr put it together, and realized they had contributed to the seminal episode of the series this year.

Jaguar still hasn't spent any ad money on Mad Men, but on August 17 the company will co-host a party at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance with Playboy Magazine at which Mad Men star Christina Hendricks will be the special guest.

Jaguar's Mad Men bump, and how the brand unknowingly helped write the episodes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar surprised by Mad Men cameo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Jaguar

Product placement in television and film has become so commonplace that we almost expect any mention of a specific brand on camera to be paid for in full by the company in question. And so we might have assumed with this week's episode of Mad Men, but apparently that wasn't the case.

The episode featured an account to advertise for Jaguar in the United States, with Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce beancounter Lane Pryce coming across the account through his British ex-pat connections and bringing it back to the firm. "I think a man getting out of a Jaguar needs a cold shower," pitched Don Draper. "The Jaguar XKE is pornographic." And indeed it is, lauded as one of the most sensuous automotive designs ever to grace tarmac. (For crying out loud, just take a look at the classic cat in the fresh gallery of high-resolution images we've put together for you.)

A memorable scene, but apparently Jaguar was as surprised to see it as the rest of us. According to reports, the plug was neither solicited nor paid for by the British automaker. Of course, the particulars of product-placement deals are seldom revealed, but we'll take Jaguar's assertion at face value - particularly when two of the show's starring actors - John Slattery (who plays Roger Sterling) and Jon Hamm (a.k.a. Don Draper)- pitch for rivals Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz respectively.

Jaguar surprised by Mad Men cameo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Lincoln, Celebrities, Luxury

Mad Men's John Slattery, Lincoln's new pitchman. Follow the jump to watch the new TV spot.

Lincoln wants everyone in TV land to know about its freshened model lineup. To grab their attention, they've gone with a heavy hitter from a pretty popular ad agency to shill the 2011 MKX: Roger Sterling, from Sterling Cooper Draper Price. OK, fine... not Roger Sterling, but John Slattery, the actor who portrays him on AMC's Mad Men.

Slattery will plug the new "Smarter than Luxury" campaign, which launches during coverage of the Ryder Cup golf tournament. The focus of the ads is to highlight the technology and craftsmanship that are put into each new Lincoln vehicle. The TV spots will be backed up by a full print campaign as well, highlighting the 2011 Lincoln MKX and the MKZ hybrid.

Mad Men is a huge hit, so it's a no-brainer for Lincoln to tap into that popularity. Mercedes-Benz has already signed Jon Hamm (a.k.a. Mad Men's Don Draper) as the new voice-man for its commercials. Hop the jump to see Slattery pitch the latest from Lincoln.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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