GM Skips 2009 Oscars, Won’t Buy any Advertising Time

General Motors has pulled the plug off its 19-year long relationship with the Academy Awards, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Despite the fact that the Oscars are one of the biggest annual events on broadcast television, GM decided to end its long-time sponsorship of Hollywood’s flashy annual awards that included heaps of advertising time and the use of its vehicles to transport celebrities to the event and to Oscar-related parties. "It is a great property, but it simply didn't fit into our plans for 2009," said a GM spokeswoman. -Continued

The cash-strapped American automaker was one of the biggest advertisers for the Oscars spending $13.5 million for ad time last February and over $110 million the past 11 years according to TNS Media Intelligence. "With the current business challenges and tightening budgets, we've decided to focus our advertising and promotional dollars on activities that reach customers in the most impactful ways," a GM spokeswoman said. In other words, GM has decided to shift a large portion of its ad budget from the traditional media to digital marketing (internet) where the company’s execs believe they’re getting more bang for their bucks.

Videos: Chevy Launches New Ads for Beijing Olympic Games

The biggest media event of the year, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has the caught the attention of GM that will launch a series of ads promoting its Chevrolet range. The TV advertisements will kick off during Friday’s Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics and will run throughout the games as the American automaker aims to be the dominant automobile brand during the Olympics telecast. The ads will also play a prominent role in Chevrolet’s marketing initiatives for the remainder of 2008 and will be complemented online, with micro Web sites and other digital initiatives. Check out all 11 TV ads right after the jump. -Continued

Art

Clay Model

Quiet Factory

Wild Things

My Truck

Disappear

Less Gas

Gas Pumps Hate Us - Cobalt

Gas Pumps Hate Us - Aveo

Gas Pumps Hate Us - Tahoe

Gas Pumps Hate Us - Malibu

Video: Funny Fiat Strada Adventure TV Advert

This witty TV spot featuring Fiat's small pick-up truck comes to us from Brazil. The ad shows a young couple getting ready to 'rock-and-roll' inside the Strada Adventure when the busty femme-fatale asks the man for protection... -Video after the jump

Via: Autoblog.it

Mama Mia! Renault Used Car Print Advert

This print advertisement comes to us from South America and in particular from Colombia. The ad agency used a mature femme fatale provocatively dressed in lace to point out that a well maintained used Renault can be attractive and alluring as an all-new model. The slogan in the ad states, “Paula Hernadez, 40-years old, divorced twice.” Nice, but we can’t stop our manly minds from wondering what the previous two “owners” of Paula had to pay to maintain her in such a good condition – associate that thought with a used car and the advert doesn’t sound witty after all…

Via: Motorpasion

Videos: Ford Fiesta Love Factory Viral Campaign

In an attempt to gear up interest for the forthcoming Fiesta, Ford has created a new viral campaign for its new subcompact hatch dubbed “Fiesta Love Factory”. The campaign that began today with the colorful transformation of Ford’s factory in Cologne (see here) continues with a series of videos illustrating the theme "Ford Fiesta created with love”. In our opinion, we’d have preferred to see this campaign on the new Ka, as the whole concept is a bit too playful and feminine for a dynamic model like the 2009 Fiesta. -Videos after the jump

Suzuki Joins Force’s with Pixar’s WALL-E

Suzuki has embarked on a joint partnership with Disney Pixar and its latest animated film, “WALL-E”, to promote its cars in the UK market. As part of the campaign, cinema tickets to see WALL-E are available as prizes for those who take a test drive of any new Suzuki at participating dealers. Additionally, the Japanese carmaker is also offering a grand prize in the form of a space themed family holiday for four to Florida. Guess if you cant’ convince the adults, try the kid within the adult…

Chevy Creates World’s First Billboard Made from Pennies, By-passers Strip it Clean

Chevrolet created havoc with its 20-foot billboard advert made entirely from one-pence coins in London’s New Oxford Street. The unique billboard that consisted of 20,000 pennies was created to advertise the 769,500-pence starting price of the new Aveo. Understandably, it didn’t take long for hundreds of opportunistic by passers to strip it clean. To be exact, the penny-billboard only lasted for a mere 30 minutes… -Continued

Chevrolet's Les Turton commented:“There have been some great car adverts before, but none that has stopped traffic and actually put money back into the motorist’s pocket so this is certainly a first. We’re glad we’ve topped up lots of people’s wallets, purses and, in some cases, rucksacks, but it would have been nice for the billboard to last a little longer than 30 minutes.”

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Advert For The Insecure

This catchy print ad for the recently facelifted Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster was created by the Brazilian advertising agency, Ponto de Criacao. The caption reads: “Men talk about women, sports and cars. Women talk about men inside sports cars”. Playful and witty it may be, but on the other hand, isn’t it like saying that the SL is the ultimate driving machine for an incapable and totally insecure male?

Video: Ad Makes Fun of Lada 2107

Once upon a time, well before the Tata Nano minicar came into the picture, the Lada 2107 (and all its derivatives) was one of the cheapest forms of 4wheel-transportation that money could buy. Of course, being based on the obsolete Fiat 124, terms like luxury and safety simply didn’t exist in the 2107’s vocabulary. This funny computer generated advert attempts to mock these non-existing qualities of the 2107 in a totally hilarious way. In the end, the title says: “The Legendary Lada 2107 – Quality. Tradition. Safety.” -Video after the jump

BMW M3 Convertible TV Ad Mocks Mercedes SL

Our friend Henri discovered this BMW M3 Convertible German TV spot that takes a direct hit on the Mercedes-Benz SL by making it look like a boring roadster that’s good enough only for romance. It’s not the first time that BMW attempts to show the qualities of its cars by comparing them with the opposition. As you might remember, a couple of weeks ago we showed you the BMW X3 TV ad that ridicules American SUVs –click here. Check out the BMW M3 TV advert right after the jump. -Continued

Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile Downsizes, Now Based on MINI Cooper

This whole gas price thing is taking its toll on everyone – even Oscar Mayer who decided its time to put its famous Wienermobile into the dryer and base it on a MINI Cooper. These pictures were shot by our friend Michelle (you may remember her from the Nissan 280Z based Ferrari 250GTO replica) who captured the MINI Wienermobile on her way home in Gurnee Illinois.

Oscar Mayer’s modern interpretation of the Wienermobile is a far cry from the 2000 hot-dog car that measured a fearsome 27 feet or 8.2 meters in length and was powered by GM’s 5.7-liter V8 Vortec engine. Wonder what’s next; a Smart Fortwo Wienermobile? -More images after the jump

Thanks for the pics Michelle!

Video: Chevrolet Ridicules Citroen’s C4 Transformer Ad

You probably all remember Citroen’s illustrious C4 Transformer TV spots a couple of years ago (click here). Well, GM woke up on the wrong side of the bed one day and decided that it was time to answer back with its new Chevrolet Aveo advert. Even though the car that transforms into a robot is in part a previous generation Ford Focus, it is evident that GM’s intentions are to spoof Citroen’s Transformer ads by addressing its vehicles’ electronic reliability issues. -Video after the jump

Video: 2009 Subaru Forester Gets Sensual Wash From Sumo Fighters

Unconventional to say the least, Subaru’s TV advert for the all-new 2009 Forester crossover substitutes your usual sexy, big “airbaged” gals with a bunch of overweight yet freakingly playful Sumo fighters. Check out the video right after the jump.

Via: Le Blog Auto , Source: Subaru

Subaru Dealer Creates “See-Through” Legacy Outback

A creative Subaru dealer in Carlisle, UK has come up with an imaginative idea to promote the Japanese carmaker’s all-new boxer diesel versions of the Legacy. The dealer wrapped a diesel-powered Legacy Outback with a vinyl wrap meticulously replicating the car’s “infrastructure” thus making it appear as if some parts are made from see-through glass.

In particular, the dealer wrapped the hood to illustrate every engine detail along with the side of the car which shows the engine plus Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and even the exhaust silencer. We don’t know about the side wrap, but we could definitely see the “engine wrap” becoming a hit among Subaru enthusiasts.

Volkswagen Touareg “Mud” Print Advert

This creative print advert for Volkswagen's Touareg SUV was created by the advertising agency DDB in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At first sight, it looks like the ad simply depicts a muddy rear window of a Touareg. Take a closer look though and you’ll see that the mud forms a picturesque scene. Nice.

Lamborghini Print Ads: “Feels Italian Wherever You Are”

The same German advertising agency that created the wonderful Lamborghini print campaign with the subject heading “Welcome to Sant’ Agata Bolognese, Home of Lamborghini" (click here) has struck again. This time, “Philipp und Keuntje” attempt to show us how one experiences the world behind the wheel of a Lambo showing stereotypical national scenes in a pretty Italian way.

In our opinion, the “Feels Italian Wherever You Are” print campaign isn’t as successful as the company’s prior work as we find it more fit for a Fiat or an Alfa Romeo advert than one for Lamborghini. -Continued

Brilliant Baby Car Logos Advert for Minichamps

It’s been a while since we last saw a print advert that immediately caught our attention. The “baby car logos” campaign was created by Brazilian ad agency Dentsu for the well-known die-cast miniature model producer, Minichamps. The campaign consists of four print ads depicting Jaguar, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati logos in baby form. Absolutely brilliant! -Image gallery after the jump

Smart Gets Aggressive with Fortwo’s Safety Credentials

Having had enough -or so to say- with people constantly questioning the safety credentials of its Fortwo minicar, Smart is launching a new aggressive television advertising campaign that will be supported by a direct mail campaign and an interactive online advertising.

The "Wrecking Ball" advert, that will air in the UK on Sunday, May 4, challenges people’s preconceptions by showing a one-tonne wrecking ball hitting on the front-end of a Smart Fortwo at 25mph (40 km/h). Smart says that an actual stuntman was sitting in the car and that, after seeing how well the car performed under testing, he declined to wear a safety helmet and harness. After filming he was able to open both doors and the car could be driven away. -Continued

Along with the “Wrecking Ball” ad, Smart will also air two more adverts called “Space” that concentrates the versatility and practicality of the fortwo as a normal sized tumble dryer is loaded into the back of the car and "Fuel Efficiency" which highlights how economical the car is, travelling 433 miles from London to Edinburgh on just one 33 litre tank (8.7 US gallons or 7.3 Imp gallons) of fuel.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “The ads highlight incredible facts about the car in a uniquely smart way. For example, the "Wrecking Ball" ad shows how well the Fortwo stands up to a collision and proves that, in the case of smart, size is no barrier to occupant protection.”

Kelly continued: “The car used in the filming of the safety advert will be on display at Mercedes-Benz World during the television campaign and the smart Festival, taking place on Saturday 21 June.”

Link: truthaboutsmart

Sensual Saleen Mustang Video Ad

This TV spot from Texan Ford dealer “Middlekauff” is ineptly entitled “Sex Sells Saleen.” To be honest, we don’t know for sure whether or not the advert actually aired on any TV stations -our readers can help us on this one. Although we liked the girls that participated in the ad, we could have done without the cuts that run throughout the whole duration of the video. See the advert right after the jump

Via: Motorpasion

Video: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Commercial

Sexier than ever, the revised 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo dubbed LP560-4 was introduced at this year’s Geneva Show in March. Along with its Murcielago LP640 inspired restyling, the new Gallardo also received a power upgrade with its 5.2-liter V10 engine now pumping out 560 Hp –hence the LP560 naming with the “4” referring to the supercar’s permanent four-wheel-drive system.

In this (long-version) commercial, Lamborghini has taken an artistic approach to promote the changes that the Gallardo underwent. Check out the ad right after the jump or click here to see pictures and details of Lambo’s new baby supercar. -Continued