Autoblog

We'll avoid the trite jokes about Jack Kirby's Mustang sculpture being a "nice car, bud." Ouch. There, it slipped out anyway. Now we can just move on. Rather than just stack up the red, white, and blue swill cans to the ceiling, as would most college students, the art and design scholar built a car instead. Kirby's chef d'oeuvre came to be when Budweiser rolled out its UK-only "Budbucks" promotion this summer – grand prize, a 1965 Mustang, Jack's favorite car. Whether or not he wins the contest, we bet it was one heck of a good time to consume the 5,000 beers that donated their containers. Then again, being a college student, he probably drank them all in one night, alone.

Thanks to tipster Marsh

[Source: CAR, Metro.co.uk]

Is that a Grey Goose flying into a Silver Cloud? Not far off, actually. In a bit of brand synergy we can really get behind, Grey Goose, the veritable Rolls Royce of vodkas, has teamed up with Rolls Royce itself on a joint marketing and public awareness campaign.

The promotion centers around two specially-made Grey Goose edition Extended Wheelbase Phantoms. The limos got a specially-mixed French racing blue finish outside and unique upholstery inside. Naturally, the flying Grey Goose icon is embroidered and discretely emblazoned on different parts of the car.

The two special Phantoms will be used to generate publicity, raise money for charity and for a public awareness campaign that will bring them to different cities promoting responsible drinking and, of course, Grey Goose. At the end of their run, so to speak, both Phantoms will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to charitable causes.

Press release after the jump

[Source: Grey Goose]

While many automakers are scrambling to increase the music quotient in their cars via the addition of auxiliary inputs, a.k.a. iPod jacks, Volkswagen has announced the V-dubs Rock promotion today that turns up the wick on in-car entertainment. Beginning today and lasting through December 31st, anyone who purchases or leases any 2007 Volkswagen model or select 2006 models will get a custom First Act GarageMaster electric guitar that can be plugged into their Volkswagen and played through its sound system. The guitar displays the corresponding vehicle's VIN number and features pick guards colored to match the vehicle. Of course, the guitar is plastered with VW logos galore on the knobs, neck and other places, and comes with VW-branded picks and a guitar strap made out of seat belts. Even the blue indicator light on the guitar is the same shade as VW's trademark IP lighting.

The guitar's real trick, however, is its ability to play through the sound system of any VW via the auxiliary input thanks to an on-board preamp. We have to admit, we've never heard of FirstAct before so we can't comment on the quality of the instrument, but neither of us actually play guitar, which begs the question, who exactly is Volkswagen targeting with this promotion? It's a nifty give-away, but seems like an expensive one considering how few customers can even play Stairway to Heaven.

(Check out additional pics of VW's free music gear and the official press release after the jump.)

[Source: Volkswagen]

UPDATE: To clear things up, the First Act guitar is available with all cars except the Touareg, Passat, and Eos. So for 2007 models, it's the Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible; and for 2006 models it's Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible.

Though automakers are shifting millions of ad dollars to the Internet, they have not neglected the old boob tube. Dodge, Turner Media Group and EchoStar along with its DISH satellite TV network have teamed up to bring one internet feature--interactivity--to Dodge's new TV-based Caliber campaign. Subscribers seeing one of the 30 second ads will be shown an on-screen "trigger" that will transport them to a website-like environment where they'll be able to browse a picture gallery, locate dealers or view a highlighted feature of the week. Mark T. Spencer of Dodge says, "Caliber buyers are savvy TV viewers who will enjoy the convenience of interactive television to take their first test drive."

[Source: The Auto Channel]