Autoblog

Ex-GM VP LaNeve takes over Lincoln ad agency

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Marketing/Advertising, Lincoln

Those of you that caught yesterday's op-ed about Lincoln will have heard already, but Mark LaNeve has taken the helm at Team Detroit. Once the North American vice president of sales, service and marketing for General Motors, LaNeve will now head up the agency that handles all of Ford advertising. LaNeve will also run the account for Lincoln. While at GM from 2001 to 2009, the exec oversaw ad campaigns like Cadillac's Breakthrough and sales initiatives like "Employee Pricing for Everyone."

He left in 2009 to join Allstate as chief marketing officer, oversaw the creation of the Mayhem ad spots and was moved into the role of VP of agency operations overseeing Allstate's 10,000 agents. He resigned from the insurer in February 2012 for personal reasons and joined Team Detroit in August 2012 as chief operating officer, in charge of satellite offices in New York and internationally. He replaces ex-CEO Cameron McNaughton, and will continue to hold the title of COO.

Lincoln is trying to get its 2013 back to rights after putting big dollar commercials for the 2013 MKZ on television then having production glitches preventing cars from getting to dealerships. With rumors of a relaunch in the works, it's no surprise LaNeve has been given the reins - and from here it looks like the brand is desperate for the kind of magic he's proved he can marshal. Perhaps he can start by calling a mulligan on the renaming exercise that gave us the hoary "Lincoln Motor Company" and go back to oh, say, "Lincoln." Then he can ask the product folks to get to work on the MKC concept...

Ex-GM VP LaNeve takes over Lincoln ad agency originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Porsche Cayman promo video hits the web

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Porsche, Luxury

Don't know how we missed this, but you don't have to play around with the 2014 Porsche Cayman configurator to see the new coupe in action; Porsche has given us more than two beautiful minutes of Cayman footage to enjoy.

The partners in the on-screen tango are the 275-horsepower base Cayman and the 325-hp Cayman S. If you like to keep track of such things, the former starts at $52,600, the latter at $63,800, plus $950 destination for each. Watching a video like the one below, however, is free.

Continue reading 2014 Porsche Cayman promo video hits the web

2014 Porsche Cayman promo video hits the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Out With A Bang: Hummer dealer giving away free shotgun with every new vehicle purchase

Noah Joseph — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Hummer, Military, Off-Road

Lynch Hummer dealership in Chesterfield, Missouri - Click above for image gallery

You've heard of art imitating life? Well how about life imitating war? That's another story entirely, but not so far fetched when it comes to the Hummer. The sport-'ute that met the public eye during Operation Desert Storm has all but completely gone through its entire life cycle in the intervening years: first as a military-only vehicle, the original model became available to the public, then GM bought the rights and started churning out pickup-based H2s and H3s, the U.S. armed forces went back Iraq, the original H1 was discontinued and now GM is preparing to wind down the brand entirely. But not before one last pistol-shootin' hoorah, courtesy of the one dealership that arguably sees the truck for what it is more than any other: Lynch Hummer.

The St. Louis-area franchise made headlines last year when they started filling their emptying showroom with gun racks, selling firearms to make up for dwindling sales in the gigantic SUVs. Now the dealership is connecting the dots with a one-of-a-kind promotion: Buy a Hummer, get a free shotgun.

The Browning Citori White Lightning is worth $2,000, and one will be given away with each purchase of a new Hummer. Fortunately, the same legal measures apply to the promotion as they would to anyone buying a new firearm, but if you're looking for a one-stop shop to jump-start your own private militia, Lynch Hummer is clearly the place. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Lynch Hummer dealership in Chesterfield, Missouri

[Source: Lynch Hummer]

Continue reading Out With A Bang: Hummer dealer giving away free shotgun with every new vehicle purchase

Out With A Bang: Hummer dealer giving away free shotgun with every new vehicle purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: MO dealer offers free AK-47 with truck purchase. How about a rack?

Chris Shunk — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos

Last year, Max Motors in Butler, MO gave away free handguns with the purchase of a new vehicle. The promotion was such a success that the dealership is at it again, but this time with a more Russian flair. Buy a new truck at Max Motors, and you'll receive a voucher for a free AK-47.

Max Motors owner Mark Muller has generated all kinds of media coverage for his bombastic deal, even appearing on CNN to defend the promotion. Muller explains the dealer isn't simply passing out AKs to anyone who purchases a truck. Instead, truck buyers receive a voucher that can be redeemed at any reputable gun shop, where proper background checks must legally be run, etc.

God, guns, guts and American pickup trucks is Max Motors' motto, and Muller says the firepower is needed in MO due to a persistent Meth problem that has contributed to a high crime rate. For more, follow the jump to view Muller's recent CNN interview.

[Sources: USA Today; CNN]

Continue reading VIDEO: MO dealer offers free AK-47 with truck purchase. How about a rack?

VIDEO: MO dealer offers free AK-47 with truck purchase. How about a rack? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford named Official Truck and SUV of Yankees

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Lifestyle

Audi is the official luxury vehicle of the New York Yankees, Toyota said it's a sponsor but hasn't said how, and now Ford joins the cavalcade of motorized Yankee stadium financial backers by providing the official truck and SUV of the pinstriped boys. The deal is mostly for signage on the field and concourse, along with Yankees promo materials, with some display dates thrown in (as with the Audi deal) on Babe Ruth Plaza. Ford hasn't said how long the partnership will last, but we suppose it's best to throw coin at promoting trucks and SUVs with the way gas prices are right now. With the new Yankee stadium giving up a record number of homers, maybe Ford can knock it out of the park as well. You can check out Ford's press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ford named Official Truck and SUV of Yankees

Ford named Official Truck and SUV of Yankees originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler sponsors Terminator: Salvation, we see hope, irony

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:01:00 EST

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

If a company is going to stay in business, there's no question that it must continue to market itself. Yet Chrysler's choice to pay to do so via this summer's Terminator: Salvation is a head-scratcher. Some folks have made an issue -- a valid one -- of public funds being used to secure the sponsorship. Regardless of who's paying, we don't get this at all.

Chrysler's director of media, Susan Thomson, said "We have a following with the Terminator movies and we are going to continue with that." We have no idea what following she's speaking of, unless she means the ancient Dodge police car or equally ancient Jeep from the first film, neither of which made us think, "Chrysler rocks!" A modern, beat-up Wrangler makes a cameo in the latest trailer, but again, it doesn't leave us jonesing for a Jeep.

When all anyone wants from Chrysler is good looking, ably performing cars, we don't know what kind of mojo they expect to garner by showing up in the post-apocalypse. However, we also don't know what Chrysler's sponsorship entails. It could merely be a "Brought to you by" tag. Or maybe Chrysler just likes the word "Salvation." Or there could be a shiny red-eyed Terminator sub-frame hauling ass in a 2009 Dodge Ram with lasers and miniguns. Now that would rock. Hat tip to RDS

[Source: Reuters via World Car Fans]

Chrysler sponsors Terminator: Salvation, we see hope, irony originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What to do with those empties - Mustang made from beer cans

Dan Roth — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Contests, Etc., Europe, Ford

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]

What to do with those empties - Mustang made from beer cans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls Royce and Grey Goose mix up a special cocktail

Noah Joseph — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Rolls-Royce

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]

Continue reading Rolls Royce and Grey Goose mix up a special cocktail

Rolls Royce and Grey Goose mix up a special cocktail originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW gives customers the axe: electric guitar comes with every vehicle

John Neff — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

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.

Continue reading VW gives customers the axe: electric guitar comes with every vehicle

VW gives customers the axe: electric guitar comes with every vehicle originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Caliber ads get interactive on TV

Joel Arellano — Wed, 17 May 2006 19:49:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Dodge

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]

Dodge Caliber ads get interactive on TV originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 May 2006 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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