vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Advertising”

• Video: Kia gets its Tron on

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  "The face of marketing is changing," yadda yadda yadda. Fact is, 30-second TV commercials don't do it for us any more. So Kia, as part of their interactive marketing campaign for the Soul, decided to make a pretty kick-ass short flick about a time-travelling Nissan and Tron-slash-zombie creating Soul. Really.

  

  We love the effects… [via freshnessmag]

  So click through to see this frankly awesome-filled Internet commercial. Why? Because it's cool. And normal car commercials are typically awful.

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Video, WTF, Crossover, Advertising, Kia, Kia, 2009, Soul

• Recap: The CTS-V Challenge

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  Sure, it's been almost a week since GM's Bob Lutz squared off in the Cadillac CTS-V against other amateur drivers at the race track. But what happened? How did the whole thing go down? Who won? Well, some people, including yours truly has an opinion, but why not check out the tweets from the event to see how things unfolded?

  

  2009 Cadillac CTS-V

  That's exactly what we have for you after the jump: all of the tweets surrounding the CTS-V Challenge. Click through for the discussion!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Advertising, Discussion, Social Media, Cadillac, CTS, Twitter, vLane, Bob Lutz, Jalopnik, race track

• Viral video victim gets new Hyundai

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  YouTube users: don't try this at home. Canadian Hyundai Elantra owner Todd Jamison exited his local gym after (presumably) a rigorous workout — only to find his car completely smashed, trashed, and inoperable.

  

  The video of the incident and Hyundai's response is after the jump

  As the resulting video (after the jump!) proves, he was a victim of both a terrible parking job and a soon-to-explode Internet meme. Within hours of the incident, the video was uploaded to YouTube — and to date, 1.6 million people have watched the carnage unfold over Todd's beloved car.

  What to do? Well, Hyundai Canada's marketing agency saw the video and pitched Hyundai: Why not be a good corporation and give this guy a brand-new car?

  As you'll see after the jump, that's exactly what happened. Bravo, Hyundai Canada.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Video, WTF, Wagon, Hyundai, Advertising, collision, community, LOL, Elantra

• Worst ad ever: Sting and the Jaguar S-Type

  Banovsky on October 26, 2009

  The Jaguar S-Type never really lived up to expectations. Sure, it looked all right — but unfortunately, it was a victim of the late-90s "retro" craze that quickly died off, along with its sales figures.

  

  Wake up, Sting! You're in a commercial!

  Here, for your amusement, is an ad for the S-Type featuring legendary rocker pop star Sting. And here are some things to look out for:

  • 0:20 — Sting has his eyes closed on stage because he's "dreaming" about being in a Jaguar S-Type. Shows how exciting the song is.
  • 0:23 — Caption: "What do rock stars dream of?" Well, they apparently don't dream about women, money, or success.
  • 0:31 — A very quick shot of Sting in the back seat of the S-Type. Is is that boring to drive?
  • 0:35 — The Jaguar splashes through water, its electrical system seemingly still works. This must be fiction.
  • 0:42 — Sting is awake now, still in the back seat, looking out a half-open window. "I wish I could remember what type of cream cheese I had on my bagel this morning…"
  • 0:52 — Back on stage, Sting is awake and throwing his arm in the air. Just one, like he's blessing his fans.
  • 0:55 — Narcoleptic Sting is asleep again. Somebody check his blood sugar levels.

  Click through for the awful-ness.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Advertising, Jaguar, LOL, Original, Worst Ad Ever, Sting, S-Type

• Silly old ad: This Jeep has two business ends

  Banovsky on October 15, 2009

  I love campy old ads. This one, for the Willys-Overland 'Jeep' — yes, from before AMC and Chrysler ownership — touts the practicalities of the military-bred machine for farm use and chores.

  

  Click through for the ad!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, WTF, Truck, Advertising, Jeep, LOL, Pic

• Video: Puma makes a Formula One car from clothing

  Banovsky on October 12, 2009

  Marketing sure is clever. Years ago, you'd have a pitch man holding up a shirt — maybe with an F1 car in the background — asking you to consider their product. Now, all you need to sell something is 48 seconds on YouTube and a bunch of talented visual stylists — and you get nearly 200,000 views.

  

  Ferrari logos and all…

  Click through the video!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, Video, Ferrari, Advertising, Puma, Formula 1

• Silly old ad: The Toyota Cavalier

  Banovsky on September 28, 2009

  Yes, Toyota sold a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan. But was it a "new form of luxury" as the ads claim?

  

  A strong candidate for an "LOL WTF" award…

  Thanks to Flickr member for uploading this ad. Click through to see it…and two commercials!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Sedan, Japan, Toyota, Advertising, Coupe, Chevrolet, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Cavalier, Original

• Silly old ad: Subaru 360 in America

  Banovsky on September 22, 2009

  Malcolm Bricklin is an interesting guy. After making enough capital from the family Handyman business, he decided to import Subarus into North America. Then, the created his own sports car, the Bricklin SV-1. Now, he's still trying to bring a low-cost car into the U.S. market.

  

  Click to see the whole ad!

  Until that happens, though, we can look at some of the ads he used to entice Americans to open up Subaru franchises of their own. Yes, they're campy. Yes, they're cheesy. And yes, you can win a trip to Japan!

  Thanks to Flickr member Hugo90 for uploading these ads. Click through to see them!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Classic, WTF, Advertising, Subaru, LOL, Silly old commercial, Original

• Upcoming: #carchat 29; September 23 @ 3PM EST with Bob Lutz

  Banovsky on September 18, 2009

  Big news! Bob Lutz, General Motors Vice Chairman and marketing chief will be our featured guest on #carchat next week, at a special 3 PM EST to 5 PM EST time slot. Our topics will fall under a General Motors theme for obvious reasons…

  

  Bob Lutz

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 3 PM EST September 23, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 3 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for Lutz, please do so in the comments below or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Note: Lutz will be tweeting from the @gmblogs Twitter account. Make sure you follow them on Twitter. Also, use the hashtag "#lutz" when asking questions, this will make the discussion easier to manage!

  Topics from 3 PM EST — 3:30 PM EST:

  • Discussion: Your best General Motors product experience
  • Discussion: Your worst General Motors product experience

  Topics from 3:30 PM EST onward:

  • Discussion: Buick's new tagline, why?
  • Discussion: The importance of marketing
  • Discussion: Is good design really "free"?
  • Discussion: How to change people's perceptions about GM

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Future, Advertising, Advice , Discussion, carchat, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Twitter, vLane, Buick, Bob Lutz, GMC

• Silly old commercial: Ford Tempo is a real driver's car

  Banovsky on September 8, 2009

  Yes, three-time Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart says that the Ford Tempo is a real driver's car. So, uh…believe him!

  

  Time to click through!

  Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under Video, WTF, Sedan, Ford, Advertising, Ford, FAIL, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Tempo, Jackie Stewart